---
title: Surrey building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost?"
place: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/surrey
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Surrey
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Surrey building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost?

**Short answer:** Building permit fees in the City of Surrey are based on the declared value of construction. Schedule A of Building Bylaw 17850 charges $64 for the first $1,000, then $15 per additional $1,000 up to $200,000. A non-refundable initial payment of $50 to $25,000 is due at application and credited toward the fee. Taxes are extra.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Surrey, https://www.surrey.ca)  
**Cost:** $64 for the first $1,000; $15 per $1,000 to $200,000; $11.74 per $1,000 from $200,000 to $500,000; $10.64 per $1,000 above that. Taxes extra.  
**How long:** The initial payment is due at application; the balance is due before the permit is issued.  
**Where:**
- Online: Building Permit Fee Estimator, https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/building-permit-fees-fee-estimator
- Phone: Planning and Development Client Services Centre, 604-591-4086

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $64 minimum permit fee for the first $1,000 of building value (taxes extra). A non-refundable $50 initial payment is due at application for work declared at under $20,000, and is credited toward the permit fee.
  - Source: [Surrey Building Bylaw 17850, Schedule A, Schedule A, A.1(a)](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850)
  - Official wording: "(a) Minimum permit fee for the first $1,000 of building value. $64.00" … "(All fees are subject to applicable taxes)"
  - Source: [Surrey Building Bylaw 17850, Schedule A, Schedule A, B](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850)
  - Official wording: "$0 – $19,999.99 $50" … "The initial payment of the plan processing fee will be credited toward the total building permit fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Based on building (construction) value: $64 for the first $1,000, then $15 per additional $1,000 or part up to $200,000, $11.74 per $1,000 from $200,000 to $500,000, and $10.64 per $1,000 above $500,000. Taxes extra.
  - Source: [Surrey Building Bylaw 17850, Schedule A, Schedule A, A.1](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850)
  - Official wording: "(b) For each subsequent $1,000 of building value or portion $15.00 thereof over $1,000 and up to a value of $200,000" … "(d) For each subsequent $1,000 of building value or portion $11.74 thereof over $200,000 and up to a value of $500,000" … "(d) For each subsequent $1,000 of building value or portion $10.64 thereof over $500,000"
  - Source: [Building Permit Fees & Fee Estimator, Building permit fees](https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/building-permit-fees-fee-estimator)
  - Official wording: "Building permit fees will be based on the value of construction (building value)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** Non-refundable initial plan processing payment at application, by declared value: under $20,000 $50; $20,000 to $99,999 $150; $100,000 to $999,999 $700; $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 $5,500; $5,000,000 and over $25,000. It is credited toward the total permit fee.
  - Source: [Surrey Building Bylaw 17850, Schedule A, Schedule A, B](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850)
  - Official wording: "$0 – $19,999.99 $50" … "$20,000 – $99,999.99 $150" … "$100,000 – $999,999.99 $700" … "$1,000,000 – $4,999,999.99 $5,500" … "$5,000,000 and over $25,000" … "The initial payment of the plan processing fee will be credited toward the total building permit fee"
  - Source: [Building Fees Summary, effective April 14, 2026, Fees summary / Initial plan processing fee, valuation bands](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/BuildingFeeSchedule.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building Permit Non-Refundable Flat Fee Declared value of construction thresholds Initial payment $0-$19,999 $50 $20,000-$99,999 $150 $100,000-$999,999 $700" … "$0-$19,999 $50 $20,000-$99,999 $150 $100,000-$999,999 $700 $1,000,000-$4,999,999 $5,500 $5,000,000+ $25,000 Damage Deposit $ 2500.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Demolition permit $601; damage deposit $2,500; re-inspection $240; revisions to approved plans $333 per hour (one hour minimum); transfer of permit $192; extension $361. Unpermitted construction: double the permit fee. Plumbing permits are separate: $161 first fixture, $49 each additional. Taxes extra.
  - Source: [Building Fees Summary, effective April 14, 2026, Fees summary, effective April 14, 2026](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/BuildingFeeSchedule.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Damage Deposit $ 2500.00" … "Demolition Permit $ 601.00" … "Unpermitted Construction Double Permit Fee" … "Re-inspection $ 240.00" … "Revisions to Approved Plans (min. 1 hour) $333.00" … "Transfer of Building Permit $ 192.00" … "Extension of Building Permit $ 361.00"
  - Source: [Surrey Building Bylaw 17850, Schedule A, Schedule A, A.2](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850)
  - Official wording: "(b) For demolishing a building or structure $601.00"
  - Source: [Plumbing Permits, Plumbing permit fees](https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/plumbing/plumbing-permits)
  - Official wording: "First fixture | | $161.00" … "Additional fixture(s) | | $49.00 ea."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** The initial payment is made with the application; the balance is due before the permit is issued. Pay by cash, cheque or debit (credit cards up to $15,000); online payment opens once City staff request payment.
  - Source: [Building Permit Fees & Fee Estimator, Make a payment](https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/building-permit-fees-fee-estimator)
  - Official wording: "Fees can be paid by cash, cheque or debit. Credit cards are accepted up to $15,000." … "Fees may also be paid online once payment has been requested by City staff."
  - Source: [Residential Building Permits, Building permit fees](https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits)
  - Official wording: "The remaining balance is due before the permit is issued."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Surrey Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 17850, Schedule "A" (Building Fees; Part B initial payment of plan processing fee)
  - Source: [Surrey Building Bylaw 17850, Schedule A](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850)
  - Official wording: "Schedule "A" "Surrey Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 17850" (All fees are subject to applicable taxes)" … "(p) Permit Fee – Solar Panel $191.00"
  - Source: [Building Fees Summary, effective April 14, 2026, Fees summary](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/BuildingFeeSchedule.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Effective April 14, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Surrey bases the permit fee on the declared value of construction, set out in Schedule A of [Building Bylaw 17850](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850). The minimum permit fee is $64 for the first $1,000 of value, then $15 per additional $1,000 or part up to $200,000, $11.74 per $1,000 from $200,000 to $500,000, and $10.64 per $1,000 above $500,000. Taxes are extra.

## Good to know

- Initial payment at application, by declared value: under $20,000 is $50; $20,000 to $99,999 is $150; $100,000 to $999,999 is $700; $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 is $5,500; $5,000,000 and over is $25,000. It is non-refundable and credited toward the total permit fee.
- Other fees: demolition permit $601; damage deposit $2,500; re-inspection $240; revisions to approved plans $333 per hour (one hour minimum); permit transfer $192; extension $361.
- Unpermitted construction costs double the permit fee.
- Plumbing permits are separate: $161 for the first fixture and $49 for each additional. Electrical permits are also separate.
- The balance is due before the permit is issued. Pay by cash, cheque or debit; credit cards are accepted up to $15,000. Online payment opens only after City staff request payment.
- The City's fees summary lists a solar panel permit at $185, but the bylaw schedule says $191. The bylaw governs, so confirm the solar fee with the City.

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permit Fees & Fee Estimator](https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/building-permit-fees-fee-estimator)
- [Building Fees Summary (PDF)](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/BuildingFeeSchedule.pdf)
- [Surrey Building Bylaw 17850](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850)

## Related questions

- [Surrey building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/building-permit-fees.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/building-permit-fees.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Surrey Building Bylaw 17850, Schedule A](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17850) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Fees Summary, effective April 14, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/BuildingFeeSchedule.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permit Fees & Fee Estimator, City of Surrey](https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/building-permit-fees-fee-estimator) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Building Permits, City of Surrey](https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/building/residential-building/residential-building-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Plumbing Permits, City of Surrey](https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/plumbing/plumbing-permits) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Surrey. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit-fees/_