Report a Street Light Outage - Surrey Bylaw Guide
Surrey, British Columbia residents should report street light outages promptly to help maintain public safety and comply with municipal infrastructure management. Use the City of Surrey online reporting tool or phone 3-1-1 to submit location details, pole numbers, and the nature of the outage; the City provides a specific report page for street light outages (Report a street light outage)[1].
Penalties & Enforcement
The City of Surrey and its Engineering Operations manage streetlight maintenance, while By-law Enforcement may become involved for offences that damage or unlawfully alter lighting infrastructure. Specific fines, daily penalties or fee schedules for damage to street lighting are not specified on the cited page; current procedures and escalation steps are not specified on the cited page and are handled by the enforcing department as needed (current as of February 2026).
- Enforcer: Engineering Operations and By-law Enforcement for property or infrastructure offences.
- Inspection and complaint pathway: report via the City of Surrey online report tool or 3-1-1 for logging and assignment.
- Fines and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation for continuing offences or damage: not specified on the cited page.
- Appeals and reviews: appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited page; contact the enforcing department for review timelines.
Applications & Forms
The City operates an online report form for street light outages on the official report page; no separate permit form is required to report an outage. Fee information for reporting is not applicable or not specified on the cited page.
How-To
- Confirm the outage: check at night or ask a neighbour to verify the light is out and note the pole number or nearest address.
- Gather details: record the exact location, pole number, type of problem (completely dark, flickering, damaged pole) and the time you noticed it.
- Report online or by phone: use the City of Surrey street light outage report page or call 3-1-1 to file the report.
- Get a reference: request a service request number or confirmation and note expected follow-up instructions.
- Follow up if unresolved: if the outage persists beyond the advised timeframe, reopen the report or contact the City department listed in the confirmation.
FAQ
- Who is responsible for fixing street lights in Surrey?
- The City of Surrey's Engineering Operations typically manages municipal street lighting maintenance; responsibilities may vary by location or utility agreement.
- How do I report a street light that is out?
- Report the outage using the City of Surrey's online report page or by calling 3-1-1. Provide the pole number, nearest address and a description of the issue.
- Are there fees to report an outage?
- No fee is required to report a street light outage; reporting is provided as a public service.
- How long does repair take?
- Response times vary by priority and workload; the cited City page does not specify standard repair timelines (current as of February 2026).
Key Takeaways
- Report outages promptly to the City to improve safety and speed repairs.
- Use the City of Surrey online reporting tool or call 3-1-1 for fastest service.
- Provide pole numbers, exact locations and photos when possible.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Surrey - Report a street light outage
- City of Surrey - Municipal Bylaws
- City of Surrey - By-law Enforcement