Surrey shrinks building permit process
Published 3:30 pm Monday, May 4, 2026
Surrey council on April 27 amended the Surrey Building Bylaw to streamline city hall’s building permit process by cancelling the requirement for landscape drawings to be finalized prior to permits being issued.
“This targeted amendment reflects lessons learned through implementation and supports council’s objectives of timely, predictable, and streamlined development approvals while continuing to ensure high-quality development outcomes,” Ron Gill, Surrey’s general manager of planning and development, told council in a corporate report.
While landscape design is still a “required and critical” component of the review process, Gill noted, city staff decided that finalizing the drawings “does not materially affect the technical review of building permit submissions.”
“Operational experience has shown that building permit reviews can proceed effectively using approved architectural drawings, without requiring finalized landscape plans at the point of early building permit intake,” he explained.
Councillor Pardeep Kooner asked Gill if “in-progress” applicants will be advised of this amendment. “Are you sending a letter, email?” she asked. Gill replied that city staff will make sure all applicants with in-stream applications will be made aware of the change.
Mayor Brenda Locke said such initiatives from city hall “have made a significant difference and it’s truly a reflection of why Surrey is leading the way.”