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Surrey, B.C., says it is getting tough on illegal construction in the city.
City council voted Monday to file a notice on title to two properties where owners have illegally constructed and occupied the buildings without permits, violating the city’s building bylaw.
The city said in a news release that its actions will “encourage accountability, enforce compliance and put the safety of residents first.”
“We are taking a zero-tolerance approach as we continue to tackle illegal construction in Surrey,” said Mayor Brenda Locke in the release.
A stop-work order posted Aug. 1, 2024 at 16055 60 Ave. in Surrey, B.C., for interior renovations to a farm building without a permit. (City of Surrey)
Staff said filing the notices will alert the public and prospective purchasers about the unpermitted work that could contravene bylaws or regulations related to building safety.
One property at 16055 60 Ave. had a permit for a barn, but the structure was converted “into an apartment-like building containing five dwelling units and multiple other rooms,” said assistant city solicitor Komal Gill said at Monday’s meeting.
A photograph taken by city staff at 16055 60 Ave. in Surrey, B.C., on Aug. 12, 2025, of a living/kitchen area in a dwelling unit built in a structure only permitted as a barn. (City of Surrey)
Staff said in a report to council that “there is no realistic path for the owners to obtain a building permit to retain the unpermitted construction.”
“The construction has progressed to a point where many essential elements are now obscured, preventing the inspections staff considers necessary to confirm safety and compliance with the Building Bylaw and British Columbia Building Code.”
The structure is now occupied, despite not having an occupancy permit, according to the staff report.
Surrey city staff took a photo of the property at 16055 60 Ave. showing the inside of a structure permitted as a ‘barn’ with drywall material on the ground on Aug. 6, 2024, after a stop-work order had been posted. (City of Surrey)
A property at 16835 26 Ave. had no building permit, but its owner still constructed a two-storey detached structure in the backyard, according to another staff report.
The structure was also occupied without an occupancy permit, according to a city solicitor’s letter attached to the staff report.
City staff in Surrey photographed the property on March 17, 2025, showing portions of the finished living room and kitchen in an unpermitted unit at 16835 26 Ave. (City of Surrey)
Staff said — as it did in its report on the property on 60 Avenue — that many essential elements on the property are obscured by the construction progress which prevents necessary inspections.
“The owners have essentially constructed an apartment building in their backyard, and they’ve rented out at least four of those units,” said assistant city solicitor Guillermo Flores at Monday’s meeting.
Bylaw officers estimated the structure includes eight units, according to the report.
In the solicitor’s letters to both owners sent in September, staff said the owners will be expected to demolish the unpermitted work.
Court-ordered demolitions
The city also announced three illegal construction files have been concluded after court-ordered demolitions this year.
“Court-ordered demolitions are one of the many ways we ensure compliance and protect our communities,” Locke said.
One owner was required to demolish an unauthorized addition to the main residence that included “interconnected decks and an extension that contained two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.”
Another owner had to demolish an unauthorized laneway and unauthorized extension to the main residence.
A third owner was ordered to demolish an unauthorized extension to the house and an accessory building, as well as an unpermitted shed renovation.
The city did not include addresses for the structures that were demolished.
‘If you see it, report it’: city staff
Sean Simpson, acting director of Surrey’s building division, said the court-ordered demolition process generally takes longer than filing a notice on title, which is something the city can do itself.
The notice on title ensures that future owners know there was unpermitted construction on the property, according to Simpson.
“Because the liability passes from owner to owner,” Simpson said.
He said cities are usually alerted to the construction by concerned neighbours.
“If you see it, report it,” Simpson said, adding that permitted construction will display the permit on the property.
Surrey launched its illegal construction enforcement team in 2022.
Then-mayor Doug McCallum said at the time that illegal unpermitted construction is six times more likely to result in serious safety issues.