Electrical Contractor Installation Permits

Learn more about the requirements for electrical contractor installation permits. 

You'll find information on various electrical contractor installation permit types, how to apply, requesting an inspection and how to manage your permit. 

Select your permit type:

Residential

Single family & duplex homes

Multiple structures on one property
  • Every structure requires its own electrical permit. 
  • Depending on the type of installation work and size of the structure, a building permit may be required.
    • Ensure the proper building permit is in place and, 
    • The building permit number is chosen during the application process. 
Permit requirements for new construction

There are two electrical permits required for these sites:

  1. Includes the service installation and low voltage work (lighting, receptacles, HVAC, EV charging, etc.) 
  2. Includes the extra low voltage work (security, sound system, cablevision, etc.) based on the value of installation, declared by the Electrical Contractor. 
Adding load to existing service

If you choose HVAC, EV charging and/or service upgrade, the system will ask you to upload calculation. Use the Demand Load Calculation - Residential Form to help guide you through the process. 

Any installations in the house may affect the electrical load beyond those choices and include those in the demand load calculation. 

Pool installation

Every pool installation requires its own electrical permit.

  • Ensure the proper building permit is in place and,
  • The building permit number is chosen during the application process. 
Photovoltaic system (solar panels) installation

Every photovoltaic system installation requires its own electrical permit.

  • Ensure the proper building permit is in place and,
  • The building permit number is chosen during the application process. 

Multi-family

Row houses, townhouses, apartments, and complex housing types 

Multiple structures on one property
  • Every structure requires its own electrical permit. 
  • Depending on the type of installation work and size of the structure, a building permit may be required.
    • Ensure the proper building permit is in place and,
    • The building permit number is chosen during the application process. 
Permit requirements for new construction
  • These sites will require different building permits for the phased construction approach, such as foundation, commercial, residential, or superstructure. Gather all building permit numbers from the general contractor or builder. 
  • You will be required to apply for one electrical permit per building permit. 
  • There are two types of new construction:
    • Low voltage work 
    • Extra low voltage work 
  • Electrical rooms feeding more than one townhouse building require their own electrical permit. 
Strata properties
  • Every strata unit requires its own electrical permit. 
  • Depending on the type of installation work and size of the structure, a building permit may be required.
    • Ensure the proper building permit is in place and,
    • The building permit number is chosen during the application process. 
  • Strata approvals will be required for any electrical installation work that will affect the load an electrical system. Upload a Strata Approval Letter or approved Strata Council Minutes. 
Adding load to existing service
Photovoltaic system (solar panels) installation
  • Every photovoltaic system installations requires its own electrical permit. 
    • Ensure the proper building permit is in place and,
    • The building permit number is chosen during the application process. 
High voltage work

Commercial, industrial or institutional

Multiple structures on one property
  • Every structure requires its own electrical permit.
  • Depending on the type of installation work and size of the structure, a building permit may be required.
    • Ensure the proper building permit is in place and,
    • The building permit number is chosen during the application process. 
Permit requirements for new construction
  • These sites will require different building permits for the phased construction approach, such as foundation, commercial, residential, or superstructure. Gather all building permit numbers from the general contractor or builder.
  • You will be required to apply for one electrical permit per building permit. 
Strata properties
  • Every strata unit requires its own electrical permit.
  • Depending on the type of installation work and size of the structure, a building permit may be required.
    • Ensure the proper building permit is in place and,
    • The building permit number is chosen during the application process.
  • Strata approvals will be required for any electrical installation work that will affect the load an electrical system. Upload a Strata Approval Letter or approved Strata Council Minutes. 
Adding load to existing service
  • Electrical installation work that will affect the load on an electrical system, such as HVAC (air conditioning or heat pumps), EV charging system and hot tubs, the system will ask you to upload calculation. Use Additional Electrical Loads for Existing Multi-Family and Commercial Buildings to help guide you through the process.
  • Any other installations that may affect electrical load beyond those choices and includes those in your calculations. 
High voltage work

To determine the installation requirements, refer to the Guidelines for Customer-Owner High Voltage Installations. 

Other permit types 

Traffic signals, street lighting and pedestrian crossings

These installations are coordinated with the City of Surrey Engineering Department. 

  • You are required to submit:
    1. Surrey project number 
    2. Approved plans related to the project. 
  • Provide the approximate interaction or free form address range to support the size of your project. 

 

Cellular, telephone, and cablevision

Includes installation of a cellular tower, a pole mounted microcell or boulevard Kiosk for cable utilities. 

  • Provide the approximate intersection or free form address range to support the size of your project. 

These permit types can be found under electrical operating permits:

If you can't find your permit type listed, contact electrical@surrey.ca for more information.

How to apply

As an Electrical Contractor, you can apply by submitting your application through our online request tool.

Your application may be rejected if:

  • The contractor account has expired permits and fees are owing. 
  • The contractor is not in good standing with Technical Safety BC. 
  • There are stop work orders placed on the property. 
  • The scope of work requires a building permit. 
  • The scope of work is inaccurate or incomplete. 
  • The mandatory document upload requirements for applications are not met. 
  • You did not clearly identify in the location in structure field that the location is in a large complex. 
  • The permit value is deemed too low for the scope of work described. Additional documentation may be required as proof of job value.  

Request an inspection 

Request an electrical inspection by using our online request tool. 

Managing your permit 

Making changes to your application or issued permit 

  1. Complete a Permit Amendment Form. 
    • Ensure "total value of installation" is the new total value of all work. 
  2. Upload the form to your electrical permit application through the portal. 
  3. In the application or permit record, select detail. 
  4. Go to the supporting documenting tab and select add to choose amendment form. 
  5. Select upload document. 
  6. Our system will alert us to the upload. There is no need to contact us. 

Fees

  • An administrative fee is applied for any amendment after the file is reviewed. 
  • The fee must be paid before you can proceed to inspections. 

Expired permits or cancel your permit

Learn more about what to do if your permit expires and how to extend it or how to cancel your permit by viewing our guide on expired electrical installation permits.