Engineering Requirements for Building Permits

See what the Engineering Department needs before supporting the issuance of building permits.

Single-family building permits

The following typical requirements must be satisfied before Engineering can support the issuance of a Single-Family Building Permit:

The Works and Services under the Land Development Project, if applicable, have been tested, accepted and are operational.
Pre-damage inspection submitted prior to a demolition or building permit. Determine who would be responsible for damages, i.e. if developer damage (D-DAM) or builder (BDI).
Determine if legal documents are required, such as rights-of-way or restrictive covenants.
Confirmation age of existing service connections to determine renewal. Video of sanitary connection regardless of age.
Determine fees for permits and water service connection (if required), collect fees and prepare City Road and Right-of-Way Use and Traffic Obstruction Permits for issuance to a Prime Contractor.
Review of access acceptability at times determined by road classification and input from Transportation Planning/Management.
Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) governed by size of lot. Waiver or permit to be determined by ESC Coordinator.
The prime contractor must carry and submit copies of the following:
- Minimum $5 million liability insurance with the City of Surrey as Additional Insured;
- Contractor Qualification Statement;
- Surrey Business Licence or Intermunicipal Licence; and
- Prime Contractor Designation Form, including WorkSafeBC account.

Need help with the engineering requirements for your single-family building permit? Contact frontcounterengineering@surrey.ca.

The following typical requirements must be satisfied before Engineering can support the issuance of a multi-family or commercial building permit:

Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) permit for the onsite and/or offsite works. Submission of the design and documentation to the ESC Coordinator for review. Upon review and acceptance of the design, a security amount will be established and the permit will be prepared for issuance to the applicant. ESC permit must be in place prior to any onsite works commencing.
Confirmation if there is any shoring/ hoarding/ excavation work. If there is shoring/ hoarding/ excavation work which encroaches within the City road allowance or statutory right-of-way, a City Road and Right-of-Way Use Permit and a Traffic Obstruction Permit are required. Geotechnical engineering drawings detailing the work are to be submitted if applicable.
Confirmation if truck access/egress during onsite construction requires flagging personnel. If yes, then a Traffic Obstruction Permit is required. A traffic management plan for truck access/egress may be applicable and must be submitted for approval if required.
The prime contractor must carry and submit copies of the following:
- Minimum $5 million liability insurance with the City of Surrey as Additional Insured;
- Contractor Qualification Statement
- Surrey Business Licence or Intermunicipal Iicence; and
- Prime Contractor Designation Form, including WorkSafeBC account.

Learn more about the Offsite Servicing process.