Development & Permitting Improvements

Development & permitting

From the City's Action Plan aimed at increasing the housing supply, or the updates to the Zoning Bylaw to include the recent changes set out by the Province to our permitting timelines that are updated weekly, use our resources to better navigate through the development and permitting process. 

Process improvements & incentives

The City has implemented and introduced several enhancements to streamline the development and permitting process, including: 

Improvements to the application and permit approval process

• Introduced pilot program to allow for excavation building permits to be issued ahead of final adoption of rezoning and development permit issuance which will help facilitate construction of new housing.
• Introduced a simplified development permit process for houseplexes to introduce a simplified development permit process with reduced fees and faster approvals.
• The introduction of the Development and Permit Approval Targets which will provide approval targets that are reflected of the applicant experience. The targets will expand on the current permitting timelines to include a range of development types, such as townhouses, low-rise and high-rise projects. 
• Introduced a pilot program for early permit submission to allow for building permits for new homes to be submitted after the preliminary layout approval process and before final subdivision to reduce the time for building permit issuance. 
• Stormwater drainage policy revisions: Updated policies for single-family lots to simplify stormwater drainage requirements. 
• Revisions to the Advisory Design Panel Terms of Reference to clarify submission requirements.

Leveraging technology and improving access to permitting and inquiry services

• A contract award to Archistar which initiated the implementation of an automated rule-based bylaw compliance tool to streamline zoning reviews. The service is in development and expected to launch in mid-2025.
• Launched online permitting and inspection capabilities which includes permit status updates in real time, paying for fees, and requesting inspections:
  • Electrical permits and inspections
  • Plumbing permits and inspections
  • Building inspections
  • Sign permits
  • Multi-family and complex building permits
  • Single-family building permits (subdivision applications only)
• Improved the Online Development Inquiry (ODI) to include single-family building permit information and expanded trade permitting and inspection request capabilities.
• Launched the Development Inquiry Assistant (DIA) tool to help answer questions about development, building and renovating at any time of the day, from any device. 

Updates to bylaws

• Introduced bylaw amendments related to the provincial housing legislation and small-scale, multi-unit housing. 
• Introduced the designation of transit oriented areas and changes to off-street requirements. 
• Bylaw amendments to allow temporary real estate sales centre buildings.
• Amendments to the zoning bylaw to streamline the development and permitting process for streamside protection and off-street parking. 
• Implemented bylaw amendments for short-term rentals. 
• Update land use designations for three plan areas, South Newton, King George Corridor, and Fleetwood Town Centre Plans, to better reflect market conditions and reduce the need for reoccuring plan amendments. 

Incentive programs 

The City created two project incentives to stimulate and accelerate the developing of housing units in the city: 

• Rapid Transit Development Incentives Program encourages and accelerates the development of housing units near existing rapid transit, including existing SkyTrain stations and RapidBus corridors.
• Non-Market Rental Housing Development Incentives Program encourages and accelerates the development of non-market rental housing units.  

Simplify application forms & checklists

We've streamlined and clarified minimum submission requirements. Recently updated forms include:

• Land Development Application Form
• Submission Requirements Checklist
• Single-Family Dwelling Building Permit Checklist

Development Approval Process Improvement Task Force

Council approved the establishment of a new task force to examine the City's development and permit processes and provide advice to Council on achieving this goal.

Upcoming improvements

There are several upcoming enhancements and improvements, including:

• In early 2025, staff will update the City's permit timelines with the development and permit approval targets on the website to reflect the expanded applicant experience approval times. 
• Continuing to expand on technology for digital permitting and process automation and seeking to provide end-to-end permitting by the end of 2026.
• Launch of the automated rule-based bylaw compliance tool to streamline zoning reviews. 
• Improvements to the Certified Professional Program to provide reduced approval times. 
• Implement streamlined tenant improvement review process, including minor tenant improvement building permits. 
• Draft new 6-storey, mid-rise, and high-rise mixed use zones. 
• Investigate the use of preapproved plans for 6-storey buildings, ADUs and coach houses. 
• Formalize the Development Planning pre-application framework to provide increased consistency and value to this service. 

Online tools

Get answers to your development, building, and planning questions using our online tools or request records and information through our online services. 

Online permit & inspection services 

The City remains committed to expanding our online services to provide fully online, end-to-end permitting.

Resources & news

• Permitting timelines reports and resources
• HAF reports and resources

News

Development Approval Process Improvement Task Force

• Development Approval Process Improvement Task Force Terms of Reference
• City of Surrey accelerates housing development with new pilot program, task force
• Mayor proposes Development Approval Process Improvement Task Force

Housing Action Plan 

• Surrey launches Multi-Family and Complex Building Permit Portal
• City to expedite permitting through automated compliance tool 'eCheck'
• Surrey launches incentive programs to accelerate housing development
• City reports significant progress on Housing Action Plan

Contact us

If you have any questions about these initiatives:

• Send a message through our general contact form
• Call our Client Services Centre at 604-591-4086