Site Plan for Permit in Surrey, BC | Residential Site Plans

If you are applying for a residential building permit in Surrey, BC, a clear site plan may be one of the most important drawings in your application.

A site plan for permit in Surrey shows the property from above. It helps explain where the existing house sits, where the proposed project will be located, how far the work is from property lines, and how the property is accessed and drained.

Depending on the project, the site plan may need to show:

• property lines and lot dimensions
• the existing house and accessory structures
• the proposed deck, garage, addition, pool, shed, or other work
• front, rear, and side yard setbacks
• driveways, lanes, walkways, and parking areas
• easements and rights-of-way
• lot coverage
• grading and drainage information
• trees and landscaped areas
• a north arrow, scale, address, and project notes

The exact requirements depend on the type of project, property zoning, lot conditions, and whether additional professional drawings or surveys are required.

The City of Surrey requires the correct civic address to appear clearly on every drawing sheet and warns that drawings with an incorrect or missing address will not be reviewed. [1]

What Is a Site Plan for a Surrey Building Permit?

A site plan is a scaled, top-down drawing showing the existing and proposed layout of a property.

Unlike a floor plan, which shows the arrangement inside a building, a site plan shows how the buildings and improvements relate to the entire lot.

For a Surrey residential permit application, the site plan gives the reviewer an organized view of:

• the legal or available property boundaries
• the existing residence
• existing garages, sheds, decks, pools, and other structures
• the footprint of the proposed work
• distances between the work and property lines
• access from the street or rear lane
• grading, drainage, and lot elevation information where required
• the relationship between the project and nearby trees or easements

The City’s zoning by-law regulates matters such as building location, land use, building height, yard sizes, and open space. This means the required setbacks and development standards can vary by zone and property. [2]

When Is a Site Plan Required in Surrey?

A site plan may be requested for many projects that change the exterior layout of a residential property.

Common examples include:

• new houses
• home additions
• decks and covered decks
• detached garages
• accessory buildings
• swimming pools and hot tubs
• retaining walls
• coach houses and garden suites
• driveway or parking changes
• projects affecting grading or drainage

The City of Surrey’s permit guidance for detached garages and accessory buildings lists applicable site plans among the drawings that may be required with the permit application. The same guidance also lists foundation plans, floor plans, roof plans, cross-sections, construction details, and elevations where applicable. [3]

For decks, the City requires a complete drawing set that includes a site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section, and elevations at appropriate scales. [4]

What Should a Surrey Permit Site Plan Show?

The amount of information needed will depend on the proposed work. However, a clear residential site plan will commonly include the following items.

1. Correct Property Address

The civic address should be displayed clearly in the title area of the drawing.

Before drawings are prepared, confirm that the address is correct and matches the permit application and property records. The City says residential drawings will not be reviewed when the address is missing or incorrect. [1]

2. Property Lines and Lot Dimensions

The property boundary forms the base of the site plan. It allows the reviewer to understand the size and shape of the lot and measure the proposed work against the required yards.

The drawing should normally show:

• front lot line
• rear lot line
• left and right side lot lines
• lot width
• lot depth
• irregular boundary dimensions where applicable
• street frontage
• rear or side lane where applicable

If the property boundary is uncertain or the proposed project is very close to a lot line, a current legal or topographical survey may be required. A drafted site plan does not replace a survey when legal boundary confirmation is needed.

3. Existing House and Structures

The existing residence should be drawn and labelled clearly.

Other relevant site features may include:

• attached or detached garages
• sheds and accessory buildings
• decks, porches, and patios
• pools and hot tubs
• retaining walls
• driveways and parking areas
• walkways
• fences and gates
• large trees

Showing the entire property helps the reviewer understand the proposed work in context rather than seeing an isolated structure with no relationship to the rest of the lot.

4. Proposed Project Footprint

The proposed work should be easy to distinguish from existing conditions.

It should be labelled using a clear description such as:

• Proposed Deck
• Proposed Detached Garage
• Proposed Addition
• Proposed Swimming Pool
• Proposed Accessory Building

Show the proposed length and width, together with any stairs, landings, roof projections, posts, equipment, or paved areas that affect the site layout.

5. Setback Dimensions

Setbacks are the measured distances between a proposed building or structure and the property lines.

A Surrey site plan may need to show:

• front yard setback
• rear yard setback
• left interior side yard setback
• right interior side yard setback
• exterior side yard setback on a corner lot
• distance between the proposed work and the existing house
• distance between accessory buildings

Do not assume one standard setback applies throughout Surrey. Requirements depend on the property’s zoning, project type, lot layout, and any site-specific regulations or variances.

You can also review the existing Surrey garage site plan for permit guide for a project-specific example involving lane access and setbacks.

6. Driveway and Rear Lane Access

Many Surrey residential properties have front driveways, side access, or rear lanes. The applicable access route should be shown clearly when it relates to the proposed work.

A site plan may show:

• street name
• driveway location and width
• rear lane location
• garage door orientation
• parking or manoeuvring space
• driveway extension or new paved area
• gates, fences, trees, or other access obstructions

This is especially important for detached garages, carports, additions affecting existing parking, and projects near rear lanes.

7. Lot Coverage

Lot coverage describes how much of the property is occupied by buildings or other features counted under the applicable zoning rules.

A lot coverage calculation may identify:

• total lot area
• existing house footprint
• existing garage or accessory building area
• proposed project area
• total building coverage after construction
• coverage percentage

The items counted toward coverage can depend on the applicable zoning provisions. The drawing should therefore distinguish buildings, decks, paved areas, landscaping, and other improvements clearly.

8. Easements and Rights-of-Way

Known easements and rights-of-way should be shown where they affect the proposed project.

These may include:

• utility easements
• drainage easements
• sewer or water-service easements
• shared access routes
• statutory rights-of-way
• areas that must remain accessible

A proposed building should not be shown over an easement or service corridor without confirming that the location is acceptable.

9. Grading and Drainage

Grading can be important for new houses, additions, garages, pools, retaining walls, and other projects that change the ground or add roof and paved surface area.

The City’s residential checklist explains that lot grading plans establish property elevations and stormwater controls for many subdivisions. Existing drainage features—including swales, overland-flow directions, ridgelines, and lawn basins—should be incorporated into new building projects. [5]

A site plan may therefore need to show:

• existing and proposed elevations
• drainage arrows
• swales
• high and low points
• driveway slope
• downspout locations
• retaining walls
• lot grading plan information

The proposed work should not direct water onto neighbouring properties or block an established drainage route.

10. Trees and Landscaping

Trees and landscaping can affect where a project may be placed.

For example, the City notes that deck applications are also reviewed to determine whether tree-protection requirements must be addressed. [4]

Show significant trees when they are close to:

• the proposed building footprint
• excavation or footings
• a driveway extension
• a pool
• a retaining wall
• a property line

11. North Arrow, Scale, and Notes

The drawing should include basic information that makes it easy to interpret:

• north arrow
• drawing scale
• property address
• project description
• date prepared
• revision date where applicable
• legend explaining line types or symbols
• metric dimensions

Surrey’s guidance states that drawings other than the site plan may be accepted in imperial measurements while local residential construction standards remain in use. This indicates that site plans and grade elevations should be presented using metric measurements. [3]

Site Plans for Common Surrey Residential Projects

Deck Site Plans

In most cases, the City says a building permit is required when constructing a deck addition on a house. A deck application commonly requires a site plan along with foundation, floor, section, and elevation drawings. [4]

The site plan should show:

• deck footprint
• stairs and landings
• distance from property lines
• connection to the house
• nearby trees
• existing patios and accessory structures

Detached Garage and Accessory Building Site Plans

The City requires building permits for new residential garages and accessory buildings and identifies site plans among the applicable submission drawings. [3]

A garage site plan should clearly show:

• garage footprint
• garage door location
• driveway or lane access
• side and rear setbacks
• distance to the house
• lot coverage
• easements and drainage information

Home Addition Site Plans

An addition changes the footprint of the main residence and may affect setbacks, lot coverage, drainage, services, parking, and access.

The plan should distinguish:

• existing house
• proposed addition
• new exterior walls
• stairs, decks, porches, or roof projections
• property-line setbacks
• driveway and parking conditions
• grading around the addition

Swimming Pool Site Plans

The City says a building permit is required when a swimming pool has a surface area of at least 14 m² and a depth of at least 450 mm. It also states that swimming-pool setbacks follow the accessory-structure provisions in the Surrey Zoning By-law. [6]

Pool plans may need to show:

• pool shape and dimensions
• distance from property lines and buildings
• pool equipment
• required enclosure and gate
• decking and paved areas
• drainage
• topographical survey information where required

In-ground pool drawings must be prepared and sealed by a qualified professional engineer registered in British Columbia. The City also requires the pool area to be enclosed by a compliant non-climbable fence with a self-closing, self-latching, lockable gate. [6]

Does a Site Plan Replace a Legal Survey?

No. A site plan and a legal survey serve different purposes.

A site plan organizes the available property and project information into a drawing for planning or permit review.

A legal or topographical survey is prepared by a qualified survey professional and can establish measured boundaries, elevations, structures, easements, and other legal site information.

A survey may be needed when:

• property lines are uncertain
• the project is very close to a setback limit
• the lot is irregular
• there is a possible encroachment
• accurate elevations are required
• the City specifically requests a current survey
• the property is an infill or otherwise complex site

Surrey’s detached garage guidance states that an original topographical survey no older than six months may be required where applicable. [3]

Special Property Conditions in Surrey

Some properties require more than a standard residential site plan.

Surrey identifies several types of Development Permit Areas where special requirements may apply, including:

• form and character areas
• hazard lands
• sensitive ecosystems
• farm protection areas

The City’s residential checklist says properties within an applicable Development Permit Area require pre-clearance from the Area Planning Division. [5]

Additional information may also be required for:

• floodplain or waterway properties
• sites with steep slopes
• properties with significant trees
• lots with unusual drainage conditions
• properties containing easements or statutory rights-of-way
• strata properties
• projects requiring engineering

Common Reasons Surrey Site Plans Need Corrections

A site plan may be returned or delayed when the reviewer cannot easily verify the project layout.

Common problems include:

• incorrect or missing civic address
• property lines not shown
• lot dimensions missing
• proposed work not labelled clearly
• setback dimensions missing
• driveway or rear lane access not shown
• existing buildings omitted
• lot coverage not provided where needed
• grading and drainage information missing
• trees or easements ignored
• site plan inconsistent with floor plans or elevations
• blurry or unreadable drawings
• drawing not prepared at a usable scale

The City says its permitting timelines apply to complete and sufficiently detailed submissions. Missing requirements can lead to additional communication with staff and longer processing times. [7]

What to Send When Ordering a Surrey Site Plan

Providing good project information at the beginning helps create a clearer drawing.

Useful information includes:

• property address
• project type
• proposed project length and width
• preferred location on the property
• distance from nearby property lines
• photos of the property and proposed work area
• a rough sketch or marked-up aerial image
• existing survey or site plan, if available
• building drawings, if available
• City correction comments, if the application has already been reviewed
• known easement, drainage, or utility information
• driveway or rear lane access details

How SitePlans.ca Can Help

SitePlans.ca prepares clear residential site plans for permit applications across Canada.

For a Surrey project, your plan may show:

• property boundaries and lot dimensions
• existing residence and accessory structures
• proposed project footprint
• front, side, and rear yard setbacks
• driveway or lane access
• lot coverage information
• easements and site features where known
• north arrow, scale, dimensions, labels, and notes

You can also review our British Columbia site plan services page and our Canadian building-permit site plan checklist.

Final Thoughts

A site plan for a permit in Surrey should make the property and proposed project easy to understand.

It should clearly show what already exists, what is being added, where the property lines are, how the setback distances are measured, and whether access, lot coverage, grading, drainage, trees, or easements affect the project.

Before submitting an application, confirm the current City of Surrey requirements for your project and property. Some projects may also require construction drawings, engineering, a recent survey, tree-protection information, or other professional documents.

Need a clear residential drawing for your Surrey application? Order your site plan online and provide your property and project details to get started.

Official Sources

1. City of Surrey — Residential Building Permits
2. City of Surrey — Surrey Zoning By-law 12000
3. City of Surrey — Detached Garage or Accessory Building Permit
4. City of Surrey — Deck Permit
5. City of Surrey — Single-Family and Duplex Dwelling Building Permit Application Checklist
6. City of Surrey — Swimming Pool Permit
7. City of Surrey — Permitting Timelines