Electrical Operating Permits

Find out when an operating permit is required and how to apply. 

Electrical Operating Permits (EOP) are required for a variety of applications. They ensure that electrical work within the city is done safely and by qualified professionals. Permits are available for the annual maintenance of a regulated product, temporary use for construction purposes or temporary use for entertainment purposes.

Types of operating permits

Annual Electrical Operating Permit

Electrical operating permits are required by law for the operation and maintenance of a regulated product. Equipment owners and operators will work with a licensed Field Safety Representative (FSR) to ensure that their equipment is actively maintained under this permit.

Types of sites requiring an operating permit

The type of sites requiring an operating permit:

  • Commercial properties
  • Multi-occupancy buildings (e.g., hotels, strata-owned condominiums and apartment buildings, office high-rises and shopping malls)
  • Manufacturing and industrial facilities (e.g., warehouses, recycling plants)
  • Educational facilities (e.g., university, college, public or private schools)
  • Hospitals, nursing homes, or senior centers 
  • Recreational facilities (e.g., stadiums, ice rinks, bowling alleys) 
  • Facilities that operate equipment in hazardous environments
  • Wind farms 
  • Greenhouses 
Equipment requiring an operating permit

Equipment will require an operating permit if:

  • The operation or design of electrical equipment is such that regular or ongoing maintenance is required;
  • The electrical equipment is operated within Class I, Class II, or Class III hazardous locations;
  • The electrical equipment is operated or maintained for emergency service;
  • The electrical equipment is part of a fire alarm system;
  • The supply is greater than 250 kVA;
  • The supply to privately owned equipment, except for high voltage neon signs, is greater than 1000 volts;
  • The equipment is installed for temporary use and the supply is greater than 5 kVA;
  • There is an elevator;
  • There is an electrical vehicle management system; 
  • The Electrical Safety Officer (ESO) requests the owner obtains a permit for the ongoing maintenance and operation of regulated equipment. 
Equipment owners and operators responsibilities

Property owners are required to apply for the annual electrical operating permit naming an electrician, holding the appropriate (FSR) designation, to maintain the associated logbook, provide site safety inspection, and coordinate site inspection/review with City of Surrey's ESOs. 

Further details include: 

  • The owner/operator may include more than one address requiring an annual electrical operating permit. 
  • The FSR may be an employee of the owner/operator. 
  • The FSR may be named on multiple operating permits for different equipment owners. However, they may only represent the interest of one owner/operator at a time when applying for permits or communicating with the City. 
  • Find a FSR for your electrical equipment. 
Important application details to work on with your FSR
  • Owner/operator details
  • Site address (any other addresses can be included on the 2nd page)
  • Site contact and their email address (representing the owner/operator)
    • All listed email addresses will receive inspection results
  • High voltage applications require Class A FSR
  • Service capacity details: voltage, amperage, KVA and phase 

How to apply 

Complete an electrical operating application and email your form to ElectricalOP@surrey.ca. 

Your application will be processed and payment options will be provided. 

Request an inspection

Complete a Contractor Authorization Form (CAF) and send it to e.inspections@surrey.ca.

Ensure your maintenance logbook has been provided with this submission for review by the Electrical Safety Officer. 

Managing your permit

Annual electrical operating permits must be reapplied for every year to maintain compliance. A new permit must issued before requesting the final inspection. 

With assistance of your listed FSR:

  1. Apply for a new electrical operating permit.
  2. Submit a Contractor Authorization Form (CAF) with the maintenance logs attached to close the previous permit. 

Changing your FSR 

The operating permit holder of record is to email the City of Surrey, as the regulatory authority, with any changes of the named FSR on the issued annual electrical operating permit. Contact ElectricalOP@surrey.ca. 

Temporary Entertainment Operating Permit

If you're planning an upcoming event/production in Surrey, you may require an Entertainment Electrical Operating Permit.

Why do I need a Temporary Entertainment Operating Permit?

Electrical equipment associated with temporary entertainment productions is subject to a great deal of "wear and tear" due to the nature of installation. If not properly maintained and or installed, this equipment is subject to failure, which may pose a risk to persons and property. 

An Entertainment Electrical Operating Permit makes sure your electrical installation is monitored by a qualified professional who is responsible to confirm compliance with applicable codes and standards.

Events and productions that may require a permit

Examples of temporary events/productions which may require an Entertainment Electrical Operating Permit:

  • Film/Television Productions
  • Mobile Concession Stands
  • Festivals
  • Concerts
  • Fairs
  • Carnivals
  • Temporary Amusement setups 
Application submission criteria

As the event organizer, you are responsible for submitting your Entertainment Electrical Operating Permit Application 2 weeks prior to the date of your event.

The FSR or Licensed Electrical Contractor named on the permit is responsible to ensure the installation is compliant, inspections have been requested and that contact has been made with the ESO. 

How to apply

Online service 

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

By email

Submit your temporary entertainment operating permit application to ElectricalOP@surrey.ca. 

Your application will be reviewed and payment options will be provided. 

Request an inspection

Complete a Contractor Authorization Form (CAF) and send it to e.inspections@surrey.ca.

Temporary Construction Services Permit 

To ensure safe construction working environments, all construction sites requiring temporary power from sources other than small portable generators will require a separate electrical permit called a Temporary Construction Power Permit (TCS).

When to obtain your permit

This permit must be obtained by a licensed electrical contractor prior to the start of construction. The TCS will be the responsibility of the permit holder during the use of this temporary power.

Power from neighbouring homes

Power obtained from neighboring homes will not be accepted by our inspection department unless a TCS is obtained.

How to apply

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

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. 

Requesting a permit extension

To ensure safety is being maintained, we would anticipate a site review every 120 days or sooner. 

With the online inspections portal, you now have the option to indicate future sub services that will prompt a new service connection button:

  • Request a sub service inspection (where no meter is required)
  • Listing "site safety check" in the sub service details 
  • Choose "yes" to indicate future sub service inspections

Resources

Field Safety Representative (FSR)

The FSR named on the permit, including declarations of compliance, must comply with Section 26 of the Safety Standards General Regulations. Duties include but are not limited to:

  1. Ensuring that the regulated work complies with all requirements under the Act.
  2. Requesting inspections prior to concealing, and or energizing any regulated work.
  3. Ensuring that persons performing regulated work under this permit have the qualifications that are appropriate for that type of work (including supervision ratios).
  4. Disclosing to a safety officer any regulated product or regulated work that creates a risk of personal injury or damage to property.
  5. Certification marking is required for electrical equipment and associated wiring: See BCEC 2-024 Use of approved equipment.
  6. Maintaining permit to active status. Expired permit fees or permit extension fees must be paid, if applicable. In issuing a permit, no determination of compliance with other city bylaws has been made by the City and should the use of land and premise breach any of its bylaws now or in the future, the City reserves the right to enforce those bylaws in accordance with their conditions.

City of Surrey Bylaws

Technical Safety BC 

Acts and legislation 

Who to contact

For operating permits inquiries, including annuals for maintenance & operation, temporary construction and entertainment permits, email ElectricalOP@surrey.ca