Surrey, B.C. – The City of Surrey has reached a major milestone in its efforts to speed up housing construction, reducing residential building permit processing times by 75 per cent — from 16 weeks to just four.
City staff updated Surrey City Council on Monday, outlining a series of changes aimed at accelerating projects, lowering costs, and cutting down on the steps and paperwork required to obtain permits. For residential builders, the shorter and more predictable timelines mean construction can begin sooner and projects can move forward with greater certainty.
Mayor Brenda Locke said the improvements are already delivering tangible results. “Last year, the City cut permit processing times, lowered costs for the development community, and delivered real results — 4,280 net new dwellings and over $2 billion in construction value,” Locke said. “As Surrey continues to grow rapidly, we are committed to creating more homes in every neighbourhood and making it easier to build in our city.”
Another significant improvement highlighted in the report is the return of builders’ security deposits. Staff reported that deposits are now refunded in an average of six weeks, down from as long as six months previously. Security deposits are held by the City to ensure required work, such as roads, utilities, and landscaping, is completed and inspected. Faster refunds help builders manage cash flow amid rising construction and financing costs.
The City has also introduced faster reviews for minor tenant improvement permits, which are now typically completed within one day. In addition, the Development Approvals Process Improvements Task Force has been made permanent, recognizing its role in streamlining approvals and reducing delays.
Ron Gill, Surrey’s General Manager of Planning and Development, praised staff for their efforts. “I would like to acknowledge the incredible work done by staff to reduce the processing times,” Gill said. “Now that the timelines are below the target, we will continue improving the process to help deliver homes for residents. It’s important that we celebrate the successes of 2025 and look forward to the improvement opportunities of 2026.”
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