The City of Surrey has introduced two key process changes aimed at streamlining the development and permitting process. Both initiatives were approved by City Council in June 2025. These include the launch of a new pre-application pilot program and changes to the Building Bylaw that clarify when developers can submit building permit applications earlier in the process. The goal of both measures is to improve the quality of applications, reduce delays, and help move projects forward more quickly.New Pre-Application Pilot Program Now UnderwaySurrey’s new pilot program aims to improve how developers and applicants begin the planning process. The process should make expectations clearer right from the start. City staff have reviewed the existing system and made several changes to improve communication, define minimum submission requirements more clearly, and ensure a more consistent and predictable review process.One of the key changes is the expansion of Surrey’s online services. Applicants can now log in to view the date of their scheduled pre-application meeting, check staff comments on their proposals, and easily find contact information for the staff working on their file. The City has also clarified what needs to be submitted depending on the type of project, so that the process is more consistent across different kinds of applications.A timeline target has been set as well: once a complete pre-application package is received, the City aims to complete its review within five weeks. This target is intended to give applicants more predictability about when they can expect feedback. Surrey plans to review the effectiveness of this pilot program after four months, to see if further changes are needed.Early Building Permit Applications Now Allowed in Certain CasesIn addition to the pilot program, Surrey has also amended its Building Bylaw to allow developers to submit building permit applications earlier than before, but only under specific conditions. This change applies to commercial, industrial, and multiple-residential projects, and is designed to reduce the need for repeated reviews, as well as to allow construction timelines to move forward more efficiently.To be eligible for early submission of a building permit application, developers must first receive conditional approval from Council. They must also pay the required engineering servicing agreement fee. In addition, finalized architectural drawings and finalized landscape drawings must be submitted and accepted by the City, as required for the type of development being proposed. According to the City, these changes will help ensure that expectations are applied consistently and clearly communicated to all applicants. Once the conditions are met, developers will be allowed to submit their building permit application without waiting for the full development permit process to conclude.Part of a Broader Push to Modernize Permitting and Increase HousingThese two new measures are part of a wider set of improvements Surrey has been making to modernize how it handles development and permitting. The City has said that its long-term goal is to make the process more transparent, efficient, and predictable. These changes also support the City’s broader Housing Action Plan, which aims to increase the number of new housing units delivered by over 27.8% over three years.In 2024, Surrey recorded over $2.8 billion in construction activity and added 6,297 net new housing units. Of those, 2,560 units were advanced or accelerated through incentive programs. To continue this momentum, the City has also launched several initiatives, including online permitting and inspection systems, streamlined development permit processes for small-scale housing types, and regular updates to permit timelines. A new automated zoning review tool is also under development and is expected to be launched in mid-2025.Looking ahead, Surrey plans to introduce development and permit approval targets for different types of housing projects, and explore the use of pre-approved building plans to further reduce approval times.More information on these and other development and permitting changes can be found on the City of Surrey’s website.