Surrey Energy Efficiency Bylaw for New Buildings
Surrey, British Columbia requires that new buildings meet provincial energy performance standards and municipal permitting rules when applying for building permits. This article explains how Surrey implements the BC Energy Step Code and related building-permit requirements, identifies the enforcing departments, summarizes penalties and common violations, and lists practical steps to comply when planning or building new residential and commercial structures in the city.[1]
Overview of the applicable rules
New buildings in Surrey are regulated under the BC Building Code and the BC Energy Step Code as adopted by provincial regulation; the City of Surrey administers building permits and enforces local bylaw requirements through its Building Services and Bylaw & Licensing divisions.[2] Applicants must submit energy compliance documentation with permit applications where required.
Penalties & Enforcement
The City enforces building and bylaw requirements through permit review, inspections, and bylaw enforcement processes. Specific fine amounts for failing to meet energy-efficiency or permit requirements are not consistently listed on a single consolidated city page and are often set out in the applicable bylaw or through provincial regulation; where a fine or fee is not shown on the cited city page it is stated as "not specified on the cited page" below. Enforcement involves stop-work orders, orders to remedy, and potential court action.
- Fines: not specified on the cited page; the city may issue monetary penalties or ticketing as authorized by bylaw and provincial law.[3]
- Escalation: first offences, repeat offences, and continuing offences may lead from warnings to orders and prosecution; specific scales or per-day rates are not specified on the cited pages.
- Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, remedial orders, demolition orders, and court injunctions are available remedies.
- Enforcer: Building Services for permit compliance and Bylaw & Licensing Services for bylaw infractions; complaints and inspection requests are handled through the city's official reporting/contact pages.[1]
- Appeals and reviews: permit decisions and orders may be reviewable through municipal appeal routes or judicial review; time limits vary by instrument and are not specified on a single cited city page.
Applications & Forms
The primary application is the Building Permit Application submitted to Surrey Building Services. Fees, prescribed forms, and required energy documentation are listed on the city permit pages; where the page does not show a specific fee or form number the entry below states "not specified on the cited page".
- Form: Building Permit Application — purpose: to obtain authorization for construction; fee: see city permit fee schedule (not specified on the cited page).
- Energy documentation: models, reports, or compliance forms required to demonstrate BC Energy Step Code performance as applicable; exact submission templates are not specified on the cited page.
- Submission: online or in-person via Surrey Building Services per the city instructions; deadlines depend on project schedule and permit processing times.
How compliance is typically assessed
Compliance can be shown through design-stage documentation, blower-door testing, and trade inspections. Inspectors may require proof of installed systems, commissioning reports, or post-construction testing to confirm the building meets the declared energy performance level.
- Inspections: scheduled site inspections verify installed systems and assemblies.
- Testing: blower-door or mechanical system commissioning may be required to certify performance.
- Record-keeping: maintain energy compliance reports, test results, and manufacturer documentation as part of permit closeout.
Common violations
- Failure to submit required energy compliance documentation with the permit.
- Installed assemblies or systems not matching approved plans.
- Missed required tests or failure to provide test reports at inspection.
FAQ
- Do new buildings in Surrey need to meet the BC Energy Step Code?
- Many new buildings must demonstrate BC Energy Step Code compliance; check permit requirements with Surrey Building Services for current applicability and steps to demonstrate compliance.[2]
- Who enforces energy-related rules in Surrey?
- Building Services enforces permit and technical compliance; Bylaw & Licensing handles bylaw infractions and complaints. Use the city contact and complaint pages to report concerns.[1]
- What happens if I build without required energy documentation?
- You may receive stop-work orders, orders to remedy, or fines; specific fines are not specified on the cited city pages and will depend on the bylaw or statutory authority used for enforcement.[3]
How-To
- Confirm whether your project type is subject to Step Code requirements by contacting Surrey Building Services and reviewing permit checklists.
- Engage a qualified designer or energy modeller early to produce the required energy compliance documentation for the expected Step level.
- Include energy reports and drawings with your building-permit application following the city submission guide.
- Schedule inspections and any required testing (blower-door, commissioning) as construction proceeds.
- Provide test results and final documentation to Building Services for permit closeout and certification.
Key Takeaways
- Address energy requirements at the design stage to avoid cost and schedule impacts.
- Submit complete energy documentation with the permit application to streamline approval.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Surrey Building Services
- City of Surrey Bylaw & Licensing
- BC Government BC Energy Step Code