Temporary Hazardous Materials Storage - Surrey Bylaw

Public Safety British Columbia 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

This guide explains how to submit an application and meet regulatory requirements for temporary storage of hazardous materials in Surrey, British Columbia. It covers which municipal departments enforce storage rules, what approvals or permits you may need, how inspections and complaints work, and practical steps to reduce legal and safety risks when storing hazardous substances temporarily on private or commercial property.

Overview

Temporary storage of hazardous materials in Surrey may be governed by municipal bylaws, Surrey Fire Services requirements, and applicable provincial codes. Applicants should consult the City of Surrey’s fire prevention and bylaw enforcement offices before arranging on-site storage to confirm applicable limits, containment and signage requirements, and whether a Temporary Use Permit or other local approval is required. [1]

Contact the fire prevention office early in planning to avoid removals or enforcement orders.

When a permit or approval may be required

  • Temporary Use Permit or zoning approval for non-permanent storage on a site that changes the allowed use.
  • Fire department approvals for hazardous materials storage, handling and emergency access.
  • Environmental or public works approvals where storage affects stormwater, waste or spill response plans.
Ensure storage containers meet labeling and secondary containment standards to reduce spill risk.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is carried out by City of Surrey Bylaw Enforcement and Surrey Fire Services for safety-related matters. Specific monetary fines, escalation schedules, and section numbers for temporary hazardous storage are not consistently listed on a single consolidated page; where exact fine amounts or bylaw sections are not shown on the cited city pages, this guide states "not specified on the cited page" and directs you to the enforcing office for details. [2]

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page; see enforcing department for current amounts and ticket schedules.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence procedures not specified on the cited page; enforcement may include daily continuing fines where bylaws allow.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to remove or remediate hazardous storage, seizure of materials, stop-work or closure orders, and referral to provincial authorities for environmental breaches.
  • Enforcers: Surrey Fire Services and City of Surrey Bylaw Enforcement; inspections may be triggered by routine inspection, complaint or incident.
  • Inspection and complaints: report safety concerns to Surrey Fire Prevention or Bylaw Enforcement via official contact pages. [1]
  • Appeals and reviews: appeal processes and time limits are not specified on the cited page; appeals commonly require filing within a statutory time after an order or ticket—contact the issuing office for deadlines.
  • Defences and discretion: inspectors and officers exercise discretion; legitimate permits, approved variances, or emergency actions may be accepted as defences where documented.
If a compliance order is issued, act immediately and contact the issuing office to learn appeal deadlines.

Applications & Forms

The City does not publish a single, universal "temporary hazmat storage" application form on the cited pages; applicable submissions may include a Temporary Use Permit application, fire department permit or site-specific approval. For exact form names, fees and submission methods, contact the listed departments. [3]

How to prepare an application

  • Plan early: allow time for review by Fire Services and Planning.
  • Submit site plans showing containment, distances to property lines, access routes, and emergency response details.
  • Include Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each substance.
  • Describe secondary containment, spill response procedures and responsible personnel contact information.
A clear site plan and SDS documents speed review and reduce inspection questions.

Action steps

  • Contact Surrey Fire Prevention to confirm whether a fire permit or specific storage approval is required. [1]
  • If the proposed storage changes site use, apply for a Temporary Use Permit through Planning. [3]
  • Report any directives, orders or non-compliance notices to the issuing department and inquire immediately about appeal timelines. [2]

FAQ

Do I always need a permit to store hazardous materials temporarily?
Not always; it depends on the quantity, location, and whether the storage changes the site use. Contact Surrey Fire Prevention and Planning to confirm.
Who inspects temporary hazardous storage?
Surrey Fire Services handles fire and safety inspections; Bylaw Enforcement may inspect for bylaw compliance. For details see the departments' contact pages.
How do I appeal an enforcement order?
Appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited city pages; contact the issuing office immediately for applicable appeal procedures and deadlines.

How-To

  1. Identify the hazardous substances and gather Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each item.
  2. Prepare a site plan showing storage location, containment, and access for emergency services.
  3. Contact Surrey Fire Prevention to confirm permit needs and submission instructions. [1]
  4. Submit required applications to Planning (for Temporary Use Permit if needed) and to the Fire Department; include SDS and plans. [3]
  5. Respond to inspection requests and implement any required remediation or additional controls.

Key Takeaways

  • Consult Surrey Fire Prevention early to confirm fire safety permit requirements.
  • Temporary storage may trigger Planning approvals if it alters site use.
  • Fines and escalation details are not consolidated on the cited pages; contact enforcement for specifics.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Surrey - Fire Prevention and Education
  2. [2] City of Surrey - Bylaws and Bylaw Enforcement
  3. [3] City of Surrey - Planning Temporary Use Permit

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