Outdoor Seating Area Permit

You need permit to create an eating or licensed beverage establishment.

How to apply

Complete the Building Permit Application form and submit the required documents, plans, and fees by email, or in-person.

Digital submissions

1. Review the digital submission guide to ensure your application meets requirements.
2. Email your completed application to permitapplication@surrey.ca.
3. You will be contacted after your submission is reviewed.

Requesting hard copies for digital submissions

As the City transitions to a fully digital permitting process, some applications may still require hard (physical) copies of drawings or documents.

If you submit your application digitally, staff will review the materials and may request hard copies as needed. Do not submit hard copies unless specifically requested.

In-person submissions

Submit your completed application in person on the 2nd floor of City Hall.

Hardcopy permit applications must include:

• 4 sets of printed drawings for each applicable discipline (e.g. Architectural, Structural).
• Plans or documents sealed by a registered professional with original wet seals and hand signatures.
• All documents printed and included as part of the complete application package.

Professionals you may need

• Any proposed fence or trellis greater than 1.8m (6ft) in height and all roofs require the involvement of a Structural Registered Professional (RP). A Coordinating Registered Professional (CRP) is required if there is more than one RP.
• A Registered Architect is required if the occupant load for the entire eating or licensed beverage establishment exceeds 30 persons.

Prerequisites

The Planning Division shall determine if the proposed outdoor seating will comply with approved development permit conditions for the site. Applicants are advised to consult with the Planning Division prior to applying for a building permit to add outdoor seating.

All existing work within the subject tenant space must have been constructed under a previously issued building permit.

An outdoor seating area cannot be located in a required setback from a property line. The sidewalk around an outdoor seating area shall not be less than 1.5m (5ft) wide and shall remain unobstructed at all times.

An exit gate shall be provided if the outdoor seating area is enclosed. The exit gate shall meet all the exit and accessibility requirements of the BC Building Code and shall not be obstructed at any time.

The Fraser Health Authority must review the drawings prior to the building permit application submission.

Required documents

Include the following documents with your application:

• a Building Permit Application Form;
• a Building Permit Application Checklist;
• an Owner Authorization Form (if the Applicant is not the Owner);
• a Schedule A from the Coordinating Registered Professional (if applicable);
• a Schedule B to accompany each Registered Professional’s sealed and signed drawings;
• calculations showing the required number of water closets based on the total occupant load (including the outdoor seats); and
• calculations showing the required number of parking spaces.

Required drawings

Include the following plans with your application:

• four (4) sets of plans:
  • site plan showing the proposed location of the outdoor seating area, the distances to the property lines, and the location of any sidewalks;
  • elevation drawings if there is any proposed fence, trellis, or roof for the outdoor seating area; and
  • sealed and signed structural drawings for any proposed fence or trellis greater than 1.8 m (6 ft) in height. All roofs require sealed and signed structural drawings.

Fees

A nonrefundable flat fee, based on the proposed cost of work, is collected during application review. The remaining balance is due before the permit is issued. Refer to the flat fee chart for details.

A damage deposit of $2,500 may be required for work valued over $20,000. 

After you apply

Fraser Health Authority approval is required again before requesting a final inspection.