The City of Surrey has an in-depth process for reviewing development permit applications. The applications are reviewed at several levels from various city departments and the City Council. All applications for development permits are processed by the City’s Planning and Development Department.
Getting approval to develop a property in Surrey involves several steps. In order to make your application process easier, we’ve listed the steps you need to take to get your project going, and explain how and when Simple Sign can help facilitate this process for you.
How to Apply for a Development Permit in Surrey
Step 1: Pre Application Review
The first step in acquiring a development permit in Surrey is to review your development’s adherence to all City plans, policies and regulations that are applicable. These include official community plans, zoning by-laws and engineering requirements. For zoning information, check out this map provided by the City in order to find your zoning district. If your proposed development also requires a change in zoning, check out Simple Sign’s Guide on Applying for a Rezoning Permit in Surrey.
Step 2: Submit Your Development Application Permit
When filling out the application, ensure that all guidelines have been met in order to reduce processing time and improve your application’s chance of approval. Ensure to include all supporting documents.
The Development Application form is available online here, and can be submitted to permitapplication@surrey.ca, or in person at Surrey City Hall.
Your application status can be reviewed online on the City’s website here.
Step 3: Initial Review of Your Development Application
Your development application will be assigned to a city planner for a comprehensive review of project adherence to the guidelines for developments and zoning. After this initial review, if there are any missing resources or information the planner will request for submission of these documents.
Your application may also be reviewed by other involved city departments and outside agencies for further analysis and comments.
Step 4: Requirement of Development Application Signs
At this point, the City will request for the applicant to install one or more development application signs on their property that notifies other landowners and community members of your plans, and that an application has been submitted.
The City will send the applicant a letter to outline how many signs are required and also the exact text which should be included on the development application sign(s). This process often means dealing with the hassles approval, dealing with sign shops and the annoyance of building frames to display your signs properly.
The team at Simple Sign can use this letter from the city planner to create the graphic design for the sign and install the development sign quickly and at a competitive price point.
Simple Sign is also able to proof any development sign information to ensure it meets requirements and submit sign information directly to the City for approval.
We guarantee the installation of development signs within 3 business days, removing the burden of handling signage design and installation from your busy schedule.
Step 5: Final Review and Council Decision
After the initial review of your development application, the City may require you to present your proposed project to the Advisory Design Panel (ADP). This panel reviews the project for objectives in the development area and will offer recommendations for revisions to the proposal before it reaches the Council.
The final review is conducted by city staff and may be required to report the development to the City Council that authorization of this permit is recommended if it meets requirements. This report will be reviewed at a City Council meeting. You are required to attend this meeting if it is deemed necessary, in order to address any concerns or questions the Council may have. If the Council has any issues with the proposed project it may be sent back to the Planning and Development Department for revisions.
Step 6: Issuance of Development Permit and Building Permit Application
After all of the requirements for your project have been met if you had conditional approval, a development permit will be granted for your project. Once you have received the development permit, a subsequent building permit application will be required.
