Vertical Storage Systems Permit

You need a permit for:

• shelving and racking without an elevated walking platform greater than 2.5m (8ft) in height; and
• shelving and racking with an elevated walking platform.

A vertical storage systems permit is not required for shelving and racking without an elevated walking platform less than 2.5m (8ft) in height. These units are considered to be shelving.

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

A Registered Professional (RP) is required to provide a Schedule B to accompany signed and sealed drawings.

Prerequisites

Prior to the installation of racks, the building sprinkler system should be reviewed by a Registered Professional to determine if an upgrade to the sprinkler system is required.

Required documents

Include the following documents with your application:

• a Building Permit Application Form;
• an Owner Authorization Form (if the applicant is not the property owner);
• a Schedule B Structural (seismic) to accompany each Registered Professional’s sealed and signed drawings; and
• a sealed and signed letter from the RP indicating the existing concrete slab is capable to take the point loads from the racking post.

Required drawings

Include the following drawings with your application:

• four (4) sets of plans
  • all applicable site plans and signed and sealed structural drawings

You may be required to include further documentation, depending on the scope of work. Refer to the Vertical Storage Systems Bulletin for more detailed document and drawing requirements.

Fees

The building permit fee is due at the time of application. 

After you apply

The following condition will be stated on the permit for any racking system:

"Any change in the commodities stored on the racking system may require a re-evaluation of the design load and the sprinkler system by a registered professional."

For shelving and racking without an elevated walking platform greater than 2.5m (8ft) in height:

• non-combustible construction is required;
• these systems shall be seismically restrained according to the requirements of Part 4 of the BC Building Code; and
• the shelving/racking system shall be sprinklered in compliance with NFPA 13 if the building is sprinklered.

For shelving and racking with an elevated walking platform:

• non-combustible construction is required;
• the walking platform shall:
  • be an open system supported by the racking;
  • not be more than 1.25m (4ft) wide;
  • be used for access to the racking only (storage on the walkway is not allowed);
  • be considered as a mezzanine for the purpose of determining the number of exits, travel distances, guards, and stairway design;
• the floor area of the elevated walking platforms, not including the racks, shall be not more than ten percent (10%) of the floor area of the suite;
• interconnected smoke alarms (detectors for building with an existing fire alarm system) shall be installed above and below the elevated walking platforms. Smoke draft stops may be required; and
• the shelving/racking system shall be sprinklered in compliance with NFPA 13 if the building is sprinklered.