Surrey amends building bylaw to speed up permits for multi-use projects, aiming to ease housing strain and accelerate growth across the city.
New Rules Aim to Streamline Permitting Process
The City of Surrey has officially amended its building bylaw to reduce permit wait times, enabling developers to submit early building permit applications before full development approvals are issued. This change is part of a broader effort to speed up the delivery of housing, commercial, and industrial projects amid growing development pressures in Surrey.
Council Supports Proactive Planning
At a recent council meeting, Councillor Pardeep Kooner emphasized the urgency of the change: “People are struggling right now and this will move development forward in our city.” The amendment applies to projects subject to form and character development permits, such as multi-residential complexes, business centers, and industrial zones.
Policy Backed by Housing Accelerator Plan
The initiative stems from the Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan endorsed in January 2024. The plan targets a 30% cut in development application timelines. This latest bylaw amendment supports that goal by introducing clearer criteria and allowing concurrent building permit reviews, thereby reducing repetitive back-and-forth between developers and city staff.
City Staff Anticipate Operational Gains
Ron Gill, Surrey’s general manager of planning and development, stated in a corporate report that the new process will “ensure staff can efficiently process building permit applications, limit repeated reviews, and encourage timely completion.” Gill added that early submissions with complete architectural and landscape drawings will help streamline reviews and improve coordination.
Steps Developers Must Now Follow
For eligible projects, developers must meet specific preconditions to submit early permit applications. These include:
- Receiving conditional approval from city council
- Paying the engineering servicing agreement processing fee
- Submitting finalized architectural and landscaping plans
Only after these conditions are met can developers proceed with their building permit applications.
Improved Experience for Builders and Citizens
Councillor Mandeep Nagra noted a reduction in complaints from developers, commenting, “It seems everything is pretty smooth right now; I don’t get as many calls as I used to.” City leaders expect the streamlined process to not only accelerate construction but also ease housing supply concerns and improve the overall applicant experience.
The new permitting system reflects Surrey’s commitment to proactive growth management and development efficiency as it continues to be one of B.C.’s fastest-growing cities.
