# Gov Handbook: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

> 24 answers about local government in Surrey. Hub page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/ · All answers as JSON: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/index.json · Full text: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/llms-full.txt

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Surrey building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit.md): In the City of Surrey a building permit is required whenever construction regulated by the Building Bylaw is undertaken. The City says one is usually needed for a new house, addition, detached garage or accessory building, finished basement or interior renovation. Email your application to permitapplication@surrey.ca or apply in person.
- [Surrey fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/fence-rules.md): A fence in the City of Surrey does not need a building permit. In residential zones it can be up to 1.8 m high, but only 1.2 m in a required front yard or street side yard, and 1.0 m in the corner triangle at a street corner. It must be on your own property.
- [Surrey permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In the City of Surrey a new residential garage or accessory building needs a building permit, and in most cases so does a deck added to a house. A storage shed of 10 m² or less, 1.5 m from neighbouring property lines and 3.0 m from other buildings on the lot, does not. The City's pages do not mention carports.
- [Surrey building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/building-permit-fees.md): 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.
- [Surrey zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/zoning-lookup.md): Look up your address on the City of Surrey's online map, COSMOS, to find your zone, then read that zone in Zoning Bylaw 12000. For Zoning Bylaw questions call Planning and Development at 604-591-4086 or email planningdevelopment@surrey.ca.
- [Surrey secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/secondary-suite.md): Yes. The City of Surrey allows one secondary suite per single family, semi-detached or duplex dwelling, and coach houses or garden suites in residential zones that allow detached houses, duplexes and houseplexes. A building permit is required, and a suite carries an annual service fee of $893.
- [Surrey tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/tree-removal.md): Yes, for protected trees. In the City of Surrey you need a Tree Cutting Permit to remove a tree 30 cm or more across at chest height (1.4 m), a replacement or development-condition tree, and some named species. Applying is free. The permit costs $108 plus $42 per tree, and you may have to plant two replacements.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Surrey garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/garbage-collection.md): The City of Surrey collects organics every week, and recycling and garbage on alternating weeks, each every two weeks, from single-family homes. Put your carts out before 7:30 a.m. on collection day. Find your day in the Rethink Waste app or on the City's collection map.
- [Surrey yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/yard-waste.md): In the City of Surrey, yard waste goes in your green organics cart, collected every week. When the cart is full, extra leaves, trimmings and branches can sit beside it in paper bags, cans with a yard waste decal or tied bundles, at no extra charge.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Surrey watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/water-restrictions.md): In the City of Surrey, Stage 1 watering restrictions apply automatically each year from May 1 to October 15. The City Engineer can announce a stricter stage (2, 3 or 4) by public announcement. Under Stage 1, even-numbered homes may water lawns Saturdays and odd-numbered homes Sundays, in set morning hours.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Surrey dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/dog-licence.md): Every dog over three months old in Surrey needs a City of Surrey licence for the current calendar year. The yearly fee is $58 for a spayed or neutered dog and $90.50 for one that is not; owners 65 or older pay half. Apply or renew online, by mail or in person.
- [Surrey dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/dog-leash-rules.md): In the City of Surrey, dogs must be on a leash held by a responsible person on any street or public place, including parks and beaches. Off leash is allowed only in the 19 designated off-leash areas. Dogs are barred from Surrey beaches May 15 to September 15, except at Blackie Spit.
- [Surrey rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/dangerous-dogs.md): In the City of Surrey, an Animal Control Officer can give written notice that a dog is aggressive, vicious or dangerous. Each level brings stricter rules (short leash, muzzle, enclosure) and a higher yearly licence: $174 for aggressive (or guard), $261.50 for vicious, $655 for dangerous.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/how-many-pets.md): The City of Surrey's Animal Responsibility Bylaw allows no more than 3 dogs over 8 weeks old and 5 cats over 12 weeks old on a property, and no more than 6 companion animals in total. More than three dogs needs a hobby or commercial kennel licence, according to the City.
- [Surrey backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/backyard-chickens.md): Yes. In the City of Surrey you can keep up to 4 hens (no roosters) on a lot larger than 669 m² but under 0.4 ha (1 acre) in the RA, R1 and R3 zones, and R2 under the Zoning By-law, after free City registration. Larger lots follow the Zoning By-law livestock rules. No beekeeping rule was found.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Surrey RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In Surrey, no vehicle may stay parked on a street more than 72 hours, and a larger vehicle such as an RV may not stay more than 24 hours, unless the City permits it. A trailer cannot be parked on a street without its towing vehicle. Yard rules depend on your zone.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Surrey noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/noise-rules.md): Surrey's Noise Control By-law bans any noise that disturbs the neighbourhood and sets no fixed nightly quiet hours for ordinary noise. Construction is allowed Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sundays only if you do not do it for profit or gain. Report noise to Bylaw Services at 604-591-4370.
- [Surrey unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/unsightly-property.md): Report it to the City of Surrey's Bylaw Services through Report a Problem, 604-591-4370 or bylawcomplaint@surrey.ca. An inspector serves the owner a notice saying what to fix and how long they have. If it is not done, the City can do the work and charge the owner.
- [Surrey backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/backyard-fire.md): No. The City of Surrey does not permit open burning, so backyard fires, wood fire pits, chimineas and burning yard waste are not allowed. Propane and natural gas fire pits are the exception. Only farm properties can get an agricultural burning permit, from the Fire Chief.
- [Surrey fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/fireworks.md): Not for ordinary residents. Under Surrey's Fireworks Regulation By-law 4200, no one may set off fireworks in the City unless they are a certified Fireworks Supervisor holding a permit from the Fire Chief. Permits are for special events or festivals. No one under 18 may possess or set off fireworks.
- [Surrey bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/bylaw-fines.md): The City of Surrey uses two ticket systems side by side: bylaw notices (a penalty with early and late amounts) and municipal tickets (a fixed fine, up to $1,000). For example, noise is $200 as a bylaw notice and $250 as a municipal ticket. Pay a bylaw notice within 14 days for the lower amount.

## Starting and running a business

- [Surrey business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/business-licence.md): Yes. The City of Surrey requires a business licence for every business carried on in the city, including businesses with no Surrey premises that do work or services here. Fees are set by business category; an online application costs $50, credited to the first year's fee. Apply through the City's online portal, by email, or by mail.
- [Surrey home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/home-based-business.md): Usually yes. The City of Surrey allows most businesses to run from home if they follow the zoning rules and hold a City business licence. Social escort services, automotive service uses and tow truck operations are not allowed at home. Rules differ for houses and duplexes versus apartments and townhouses.

## Housing and renting

- [Surrey short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/short-term-rental.md): Yes, but only the owner can host, in their principal residence. The City of Surrey requires a business licence, set at $369 a year in the Business Licence Bylaw (an online application costs $50, credited to the first year). You must also register with the Province's short-term rental registry. Tenants cannot host.

## Zoning

- [All 62 zones in Surrey, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St