Surrey taking action on properties with major unpermitted construction, again
The City of Surrey has flagged that it will be taking action on two properties that have had unpermitted construction, and this isn’t the first time the City has dealt with this situation.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says Surrey is maintaining its “zero-tolerance” approach to situations like this.
The two properties in question are in different parts of the Newton neighbourhood.
According to the City of Surrey, the first property in question is located at 12464 77A Ave.
Google Maps
The City has outlined the construction that was conducted without permits, including additional rooms.
- A two-storey addition to the rear of the house, including two dwelling units
- A two-storey addition to the west side of the house
- An addition to the garage, which includes an additional dwelling unit
- A deck at the front of the house
Bylaw Enforcement Officer, Andrew Nolan, attended the home and “informed the individuals that a building permit was required for the construction that had occurred at the Property and that the stop work order must not be removed as it would result in fines,” a City of Surrey report states.
The second property is located at 13466 87A Ave.
City of Surrey
The property has also featured unpermitted additions that include new units:
- Two additions to the house, including dwelling units
- Multiple dwelling units in the basement
- Two decks
- An “accessory building” with a dwelling unit
“On or about March 23, 2026, City staff received a building permit application (the ‘Building Permit Application’) seeking to retain substantial portions of the unpermitted work, including the Addition, Addition #2, and the Deck,” Surrey’s report states.
Surrey created a team to crack down on unpermitted construction several years ago and encourages residents to report suspicious properties.
“The City will continue to prioritize residents’ safety and require property owners to comply with regulations. This helps maintain consistent standards across neighbourhoods and ensures the integrity of the City’s building process,” Locke said.
Daily Hive Urbanized covered a similar story last year, when a property owner built an illegal house instead of an approved barn. In 2024, punitive actions were taken against two illegally built homes in Surrey.
According to the City, unpermitted construction can lead to stop-work orders or fines ranging from $500 to $50,000. The property owners could also be ordered to demolish the additions.