Tenant Improvement Building Permit
Apply for this permit for any new construction or alteration proposed within a building.
You need a permit for any new construction or alteration proposed within a building.
This includes the installation and/or construction of:
- doors,
- walls,
- stairs,
- shelving/racking,
- equipment,
- washroom fixtures,
- spray booths,
- commercial kitchen cooking,
- ventilation,
- dust collection systems,
- caretakers’ suites, etc.
How to apply
Complete the Building Permit Application Form and submit the required documents, plans, and fees by email or in-person.
Digital permit intakes
Planning & Development permits can be submitted by email to permitapplication@surrey.ca.
Before submitting your application, review the digital submission guide. You will be contacted once we have reviewed your submission.
Requesting hard copies for digital application submissions
Hard (physical) copies of drawings and documents may be requested throughout the permitting process. If you submit your application digitally, hard copies may be requested depending on the scope of work and project size.
Staff will communicate directly with the applicant if hard copies are required. If you submit digitally, do not send in hard copies unless requested to do so by staff.
Professionals you may need
If you are unable to provide sufficient plans, you should engage the services of a designer or a professional familiar with the requirements of the BC Building Code. A Registered Professional (RP) is required to provide a Schedule B to accompany any signed and sealed drawing. A Coordinating Registered Professional (CRP) is required to provide a Schedule A if there is more than one RP involved.
Please be aware that if you are proposing assembly occupancy, construction requirements for the entire building may need to be upgraded. You may be required to retain the services of a registered professional to address the architectural aspects of building code requirements.
Prerequisites
Prior to the issuance of a building permit, you will require approval from the Fraser Health Authority for projects involving food handling, recreational, and personal services. Refer to the list of projects if you are unsure under which category your project falls under.
A set of reviewed/signed plans by the Fraser Health Inspector shall be submitted to the Commercial Section prior to the issuance of a building permit. Fraser Health requires only floor plans and all plans must be scaled and floor areas labelled. The plans accepted by Fraser Health shall be included in the applicant’s permit set.
Required documents
Include the following documents with your application:
- a Building Permit Application Form;
- a Tenant Improvement Application Checklist;
- an Owner Authorization Form (if the Applicant is not the Owner);
- a Schedule A sealed and signed by the Coordinating Registered Professional (if more than one Registered Professional is involved) and signed by the Owner;
- a Schedule B sealed and signed by each Registered Professional involved with the project; and
- To obtain a Zoning Approval Letter, submit a completed Bylaw Inquiry Form to license@surrey.ca. Once the letter is issued by Business Licensing, please include it in your building permit application package.
Required drawings
Include the following plans with your application:
- four (4) sets of plans:
- all applicable site plan(s), floor plan(s), cross section(s);
- isometric plumbing drawings for any new fixtures/rough-in plumbing; and
- electrical plan(s) for certain permit types.
Please ask for additional requirements with regard to spray booths, commercial kitchen cooking, ventilation, dust collection systems, vertical storage systems (racking) and caretakers' suites.
Fees
The building permit fee is due at the time of application. The permit fee is based on the value of construction and equipment within your tenant space.
After you apply
A sign permit will also be required prior to your request for final inspection and occupancy.
Landlord improvement building permit
As the application for a landlord improvement building permit follows the same steps as the tenant improvement building permit, refer to the Landlord Improvement Building Permit Application Checklist for application requirements.
