Do all third parties who advertise in Surrey need to register?

Not necessarily; registration depends on whether the advertising or related expenses meet thresholds set by the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. Contact the City Elections Office to confirm.

How long must I keep records?

Retention periods are set by statute and City guidance; if the municipal page does not state a retention period, refer to the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and contact the Elections Office for confirmation.

Where do I file a complaint about improper third-party advertising?

File complaints with the City of Surrey Elections Office or Bylaw Enforcement division using the contact details on the City elections pages; more serious offences may be referred to provincial authorities per the statute.

Surrey Third-Party Disclosure Rules - Bylaws

Elections and Campaign Finance British Columbia 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026

This guide explains third-party disclosure and registration requirements that apply to advertising and campaign activity related to municipal elections and certain bylaw-driven campaigns in Surrey, British Columbia. Third parties who promote or oppose candidates, bylaws or referendum questions must understand when to register, what financial records to keep, required public disclosures, and how the City enforces rules. The core legal authority for municipal third-party disclosure is the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, with local administration and filing handled by the City of Surrey Elections Office and Corporate Services.Surrey Elections^[1] and the provincial statute are primary sources for obligations and procedures.Local Elections Campaign Financing Act^[2]

Who is a third party?

A third party is any person or organization that is not a candidate, elector organization, or registered political party, but who advertises in support of or opposition to a candidate or a question in a municipal election, or who otherwise incurs campaign-related expenses requiring disclosure under the applicable statute and municipal rules.

Key disclosure and registration triggers

Thresholds for registration and reporting are set by the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and implemented locally; check the statute and City guidance for monetary thresholds and timing.^[2]
Third parties must register with the municipal elections office when they begin to advertise or incur expenses that meet the statutory threshold for disclosure.^[1]
Records of contributions, expenditures, invoices and receipts must be kept as required by the Act and made available for inspection or audit.

Penalties & Enforcement

City of Surrey elections and bylaw enforcement rely on local administration of provincial campaign finance rules and on municipal enforcement sections where campaign-related bylaw contraventions occur. Specific monetary fines and escalating penalties for third-party disclosure breaches are governed by the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act or by offence provisions in municipal bylaws where applicable.^[2]

Fine amounts: not specified on the cited City of Surrey page; see the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act for statutory penalties and offence provisions.^[2]
Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence treatment is defined in the provincial statute or by bylaw; specific ranges are not specified on the cited municipal page.^[2]
Non-monetary sanctions: orders to remove advertising, compliance directions, and court proceedings are possible remedies; some enforcement may include seizure of non-compliant signs under bylaw powers.
Enforcer and complaint pathways: the City of Surrey Elections Office and Bylaw Enforcement Division administer complaints and compliance for election advertising and sign bylaws; contact details are listed on the City elections page.^[1]
Appeal and review: statutory appeal routes or reviews are set out in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and other relevant statutes; if time limits are not stated on a specific municipal page, they should be confirmed in the statute.^[2]
Defences and discretion: exemptions, permitted advertising, or reasonable excuse defences may be available under the Act or by application for a variance; check the statute and City guidance for eligibility.

Keep original receipts and digital records for the full statutory retention period.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes registration forms and guidance for third-party advertisers when municipal election seasons are active; where the City does not host a specific form online the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act prescribes the registration requirement and filing obligations. If no specific municipal form is shown on the City page, the requirement to register still applies and the provincial Act is the controlling instrument.^[1]^[2]

Common violations and typical outcomes

Failure to register as a third party when thresholds are met.
Unreported or misreported expenditures and contributions.
Improper use of municipal signage or failure to follow sign placement bylaws.
Failure to retain required records for inspection or audit.

Common corrective actions include registration, retroactive disclosures and removal of non-compliant advertising.

Action steps for third parties

Determine whether your activity meets the provincial threshold for registration; consult the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.^[2]
Contact the City of Surrey Elections Office early to confirm registration steps and required filings.^[1]
Keep organized records of all contributions, invoices and advertising expenditures for the statutory retention period.
File required disclosure reports by the municipal deadlines; if in doubt, request filing instructions from the City elections contact.

FAQ

Do all third parties who advertise in Surrey need to register?: Not necessarily; registration depends on whether the advertising or related expenses meet thresholds set by the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. Contact the City Elections Office to confirm.^[1]^[2]
How long must I keep records?: Retention periods are set by statute and City guidance; if the municipal page does not state a retention period, refer to the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and contact the Elections Office for confirmation.^[2]
Where do I file a complaint about improper third-party advertising?: File complaints with the City of Surrey Elections Office or Bylaw Enforcement division using the contact details on the City elections pages; more serious offences may be referred to provincial authorities per the statute.^[1]

How-To

Confirm whether your planned activity meets the registration threshold by reviewing the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and City guidance.
Register as a third party with the City of Surrey Elections Office when required and obtain any required identification or registration number.
Collect and retain receipts, invoices and contributor information for every expense and contribution as required by law.
File disclosure reports by the municipal deadlines and pay any fines or fees ordered for non-compliance.
If you dispute an enforcement action, follow the appeal or review procedures set out in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and contact the City for procedural instructions.

When in doubt, document decisions and get written confirmation from election officials.

Key Takeaways

Registration and disclosure obligations apply to third parties who reach statutory spending or advertising thresholds.
Keep complete financial records and file reports on time to avoid enforcement action.
Contact the City of Surrey Elections Office early for guidance and to obtain required forms.