Report Deceptive Advertising to Surrey Bylaw

Business and Consumer Protection British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of British Columbia · By Daniel Roy

In Surrey, British Columbia, deceptive or misleading advertising affecting consumers or local businesses may be addressed by municipal bylaw enforcement, business licensing, and provincial or federal consumer protection bodies. This guide explains which Surrey offices handle complaints, what enforcement actions may follow, common violations, and practical steps to report suspected deceptive advertising to the City of Surrey.

Report clear, verifiable examples with dates, prices, and screenshots when possible.

How complaints are handled

Complaints about advertising that appears false, misleading, or intentionally ambiguous can be reviewed by the City of Surrey's By-law Enforcement and Business Licensing teams. Where advertisements involve signage, the City's sign and business licence rules may apply; where consumer transactions are affected, provincial consumer protection or federal competition law may also be relevant. If the City does not have direct authority over a claim, it may refer the matter to the appropriate provincial or federal agency.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Surrey enforces local bylaws through its By-law Enforcement and Business Licensing divisions; specific monetary fines and escalations for "deceptive advertising" are not consolidated on a single public page and are often determined by the controlling bylaw or ticketing schedule cited on enforcement notices. Where the City relies on sign, business licence, or advertising-related bylaws, fine amounts, escalation for repeat or continuing offences, and other sanctions may be set in the applicable bylaw or ticketing schedule.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; amounts depend on the specific bylaw and ticketing schedule.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence distinctions are not specified on the cited page and may vary by bylaw.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal or seizure of signs, compliance orders, licence suspension, or court action may be used.
  • Enforcer: City of Surrey By-law Enforcement and Business Licensing (complaints intake and investigation).
  • Appeals/review: appeal or dispute instructions normally appear on tickets, orders, or notices; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
If you receive a ticket or order, follow the appeal instructions on that document immediately.

Applications & Forms

No single, dedicated provincial or municipal "deceptive advertising" form is published by the City; complaints are typically submitted via the City of Surrey bylaw or business licensing complaint process or the provincial/federal complaint portals where applicable.

Common violations and examples

  • False pricing claims or bait-and-switch promotions on storefronts or online listings.
  • Unlicensed business advertising or use of prohibited promotional material where a business licence or sign permit is required.
  • Misleading claims about product origin, safety certifications, or official endorsements.
Keep original evidence such as receipts, screenshots, and dates before contacting authorities.

Action steps to report deceptive advertising

  1. Collect evidence: photos, screenshots, dates, prices, business name, and where the ad appeared.
  2. Check City of Surrey resources for business licence or sign-related complaints and use the municipal complaint intake process where the ad appears within city jurisdiction.
  3. If the issue affects consumer transactions, consider filing with BC Consumer Protection or the federal Competition Bureau as appropriate.
  4. If you receive a ticket or compliance order, follow the document's appeal instructions and observe any stated deadlines.

FAQ

Who enforces deceptive advertising complaints in Surrey?
The City of Surrey's By-law Enforcement and Business Licensing divisions handle local advertising issues; provincial or federal agencies may handle consumer or competition matters.
Do I need a special form to report deceptive advertising?
No unique municipal form is published specifically for "deceptive advertising"; use the City bylaw or business licence complaint channels or provincial/federal complaint portals.
Can I appeal a bylaw ticket for misleading advertising?
Appeal instructions and time limits should be on the ticket or order; if not, contact the issuing department for guidance.

How-To

  1. Document the advertisement with clear photos or screenshots and record the date, time, location, and advertiser details.
  2. Submit a complaint to City of Surrey By-law Enforcement or Business Licensing using the city's complaint intake process; provide your evidence and contact information.
  3. If the ad involves misleading sales claims, also file with BC Consumer Protection or the Competition Bureau as appropriate.
  4. Keep records of your submission and any enforcement responses; if you receive an order or ticket, follow the appeal steps and observe deadlines.

Key Takeaways

  • Collect clear evidence before reporting to help investigations.
  • City of Surrey enforces local bylaws; provincial and federal agencies may also be relevant.

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    Daniel Roy

    Daniel Roy

    Municipal Bylaw Analyst

    Daniel analyses municipal bylaws across Canadian provinces and territories. He checks every guide against official municipal and provincial sources.