Residential Building Permits
Find out about residential building permits, including when you need one and how to apply.
When you need a permit
A residential building permit is usually required for building or renovating work, such as:
- building a house,
- finishing a basement,
- building an addition, detached garage or accessory building or,
- interior renovations.
Scroll down to see the A to Z residential building permit list to learn more about the requirements.
Separate plumbing and electrical permits are required for any plumbing and electrical work. Plumbing and electrical permits may be applied for only after you've been issued the building permit.
When you don't need a permit
A building permit is not required for projects such as:
- replacing flooring,
- minor repairs to the exterior of your home,
- building a fence (not needed in some situations; see below) or,
- building a storage shed (not needed in some situations; see below).
Building permit address
Prior to preparing any documents or drawings, ensure that the new civic address(es) of a subject property have been established by an Addressing Clerk. The correct civic address shall be displayed in an obvious location on each drawing sheet. Drawings will not be reviewed with incorrect or missing addresses.
Duplex, triplex & fourplex permit applications: the existing address must be changed and confirmed with the Addressing Clerk before submitting your application package.
Contact the Addressing Clerk at addressingrequests@surrey.ca or 604-591-4448 for zoning information and address verification.
Building permit forms
- Building Permit Application Form
- Single Family & Duplex Dwelling Building Permit Application Checklist
- Damage Deposit Form
- Live/Work Code Checklist
- Owner's Authorization Form
- Residential Revision Application Form
- Part 9 Energy Efficiency
- Part 9 Energy Step Code
- Permit Cancellation Form
- Transfer of Permit Application Form
To make sure you fill out the application form correctly, review the residential building permit application form requirements.
Building permit fees
Fees can be paid by cash, cheque or debit. See the current City of Surrey building permit fees.
Residential building permit types
Find the details below on how to apply for the most popular types of building permits. This list is not comprehensive. If you have doubts on whether you require a permit for your work, call the Building Information Line at 604-591-4366.
- Addition
- Bridgeview floodplain residential building permit
- Coach houses & garden suites
- Construction without permits
- Crescent beach floodplain residential building permit
- Deck
- Decommissioning a swimming pool
- Demolition
- Detached garage or accessory
- Interior renovation
- Modular home
- Residential storage tank removal
- Retaining wall
- Secondary suite
- Septic requirements
- Single family dwelling basement finishing
- Single family dwelling
- Solar panel installation
- Swimming pool
Fence & storage shed information
Building a fence
Find fencing regulations under Subsection 8 of Section E of Part 4 of General Provisions in the Surrey Zoning By-law 12000. A building permit is not required. A fence is to be located on your property. If you and your neighbour decide to share a fence, the City of Surrey has no jurisdiction in disputes arising over fences. Fences cannot be located on City property or on any City right-of-way or easement areas.
If you don't know where your property line is, your lot information may be on record with the City of Surrey. You can request a Survey Certificate by email at buildingfileregistry@surrey.ca. You may have to hire a registered British Columbia Land Surveyor to come to your property and find your property lines.
Building a storage shed
Building requirements:
Accessory buildings, such as a storage shed, typically requires a building permit. Some small storage sheds are exempt from building permit requirements as they do not create a hazard.
Criteria to build a storage shed without a building permit:
- The storage shed must have an area of 10 m2 or less, sited
- 1.5 metres away from any neighbouring property lines and
- 3.0 metres away from other buildings located on the same property.
Property owners that construct a shed without a permit must ensure compliance with Zoning Bylaw 12000 for use, density, lot coverage, setback and building height.
Separate trade permits are required for any regulated electrical and plumbing work.
Electrical scenarios, permit requirements:
- A storage shed has only 1 light and a control switch: The wiring does not need a separate electrical permit. The wiring for the shed may be included in the main SFD electrical permit (similar to gate wiring, post light wiring etc.).
- If a building permit is required for construction reasons, or additional electrical beyond a light and control switch, a separate electrical permit is required for each building with a building permit and electrical services (i.e. detached garage, detached workshop, detached main electrical service shed, etc.).
- If a storage shed has additional electrical above 1 light and a control switch, a building permit and separate electrical permit are required.
