Surrey Bylaws: Who Approves Utility Franchise Rates

Utilities and Infrastructure British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

Surrey, British Columbia delegates approval of utility franchise arrangements to municipal processes that involve council bylaws and administrative departments. Franchise rates for services delivered in city rights-of-way are typically established through a franchise agreement or bylaw that the City Council adopts and the City Clerk publishes; local departments administer compliance and complaints. For statutory authority and municipal bylaw listings see the City of Surrey bylaws City of Surrey bylaws[1] and the provincial Community Charter which authorizes municipal franchises Community Charter (BC)[2].

Who approves franchise rates and how the process works

Approval typically follows these steps:

  • Draft franchise agreement prepared by the city and the utility or rights-holder.
  • Public notice and any required public hearing under municipal bylaw procedures.
  • City Council votes to adopt a bylaw authorizing the franchise and any associated rates or terms.
  • City Clerk publishes the bylaw and records the agreement for public inspection.
Franchise agreements are enacted by bylaw, so council minutes and the city bylaw registry are primary sources.

Key roles and departments

  • City Council - adopts bylaws that approve franchises and any municipal terms.
  • City Clerk - publishes bylaws and maintains the bylaw registry.
  • Engineering, Utilities or Corporate Administration - negotiate technical terms and monitor compliance.
  • By-law Enforcement - may investigate breaches of municipal bylaws linked to franchise terms.

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties for violating a franchise agreement or its enabling bylaw vary by instrument and are typically set in the specific bylaw or agreement. Where amounts or escalation rules are not published on the city pages, the specific bylaw or franchise schedule must be consulted.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the specific franchise bylaw or agreement for amounts and schedules.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, or continuing offence escalation is not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to comply, removal of facilities from city property, injunctions, or court actions may be authorized by the bylaw or agreement; specifics are not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: complaints are handled by City of Surrey Bylaw Enforcement or the responsible utilities/engineering branch; submit complaints via official city contact channels listed below.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and statutory time limits depend on the bylaw and provincial statutes; these details are not specified on the cited page.
If you need exact fines or appeal deadlines, request the specific franchise bylaw from the City Clerk.

Applications & Forms

Availability of a standard application or form for franchise approval varies; some franchise processes are negotiated contracts executed by bylaw rather than a public application form. If no form is published, the City Clerk or the responsible city department handles requests and submissions; check the city bylaw registry or contact the clerk for the applicable document.

Common violations and typical remedies

  • Installing infrastructure in a right-of-way without an approved franchise - remedy: compliance order or removal (specifics not specified on the cited page).
  • Failure to maintain permitted facilities - remedy: repair orders and possible fines (not specified on the cited page).
  • Non-payment of municipal fees or franchise fees - remedy: collection, interest, or contract enforcement (not specified on the cited page).
Many remedies come from the specific bylaw or franchise agreement rather than a single city-wide schedule.

FAQ

Who has final authority to approve franchise rates in Surrey?
The City Council approves franchise agreements and any municipal terms by adopting a bylaw; the City Clerk then publishes the bylaw for public record.[1]
Are franchise rates set by the province or the city?
Franchise authority is granted under provincial law, but rates and terms in Surrey are implemented through a municipal bylaw or agreement negotiated between the city and the utility; see the Community Charter for statutory authority.[2]
How do I find the specific franchise bylaw for a utility?
Search the City of Surrey bylaw registry or contact the City Clerk to request the specific bylaw or franchise agreement document.[1]

How-To

  1. Locate the bylaw or franchise agreement on the City of Surrey bylaw registry or request it from the City Clerk.
  2. Review the agreement for rate schedules, enforcement provisions, and appeal procedures.
  3. Contact the responsible city department (Engineering, Utilities, or Bylaw Enforcement) for clarification or to file a complaint.
  4. If a decision is made by Council and you seek review, follow the appeal or judicial review options set out in the bylaw and provincial statutes; request timelines from the City Clerk.

Key Takeaways

  • Franchise rates in Surrey are enacted by council via bylaw and recorded by the City Clerk.
  • Contact the City Clerk or the relevant city department to obtain the exact franchise agreement and enforcement details.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Surrey bylaws
  2. [2] Community Charter (BC)

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