Surrey Introduces New Pilot Pre-Application Process
The City of Surrey has recently launched a new pilot pre-application process as part of its ongoing efforts to streamline development approvals. The pilot pre-application process replaces Surrey’s former Design Review Group (DRG) process. While pre-applications remain optional, they are strongly encouraged. This early, focused feedback will help applicants prepare stronger, more complete applications, which can ultimately shorten overall project timelines.
Under this new approach, the City has centralized the pre-application process and is now aiming to provide feedback within a much shorter timeline, targeting five weeks from the time a complete submission is received.
The City has identified key project types that will be eligible for this pilot, including townhouses, low-rise and high-rise developments (including mixed-use projects), commercial and industrial buildings, and large single-family subdivisions. For our clients pursuing these types of projects, this pilot creates an opportunity to engage with the City earlier, resolve potential issues sooner, and improve application readiness.
One of the most notable changes is that the City will now host Pre-Application Meetings (PAMs) every Wednesday afternoon, on a first-come, first-served basis. The City’s review will involve a coordinated response from multiple departments, which will help applicants get a more comprehensive understanding of key considerations upfront. There’s also an option for applicants to meet with City staff after receiving written comments, which can provide additional clarity and direction.
Another significant update as part of this pilot is the introduction of a more comprehensive list of submission requirements for pre-application review. Compared to the previous process, applicants are now expected to provide more detailed materials up front, including in most cases, a topographic survey. It is important to recognize that this will result in higher initial costs to complete site assessments and prepare the necessary documents; however, these items are ultimately required as part of the formal submission, and this up-front effort can lead to time and cost savings over the course of the approvals process by helping to identify and address issues earlier on.
For our clients pursuing development in Surrey, this means:
- Higher upfront costs. The expanded list of submission requirements may increase initial consultant and preparation costs, but this investment is intended to improve application quality and reduce time-consuming revisions later in the process.
- Clearer expectations earlier on. You’ll have a better understanding of what’s required and what challenges might arise before making a formal submission.
- More efficient application preparation. With targeted feedback, we can help shape applications that are more likely to meet City expectations and avoid delays later in the process.
- Potentially shorter approval timelines overall. Strong pre-application engagement can help streamline subsequent steps, reducing the likelihood of multiple rounds of revisions.
The City will be reviewing the success of this pilot over the next few months, incorporating feedback from applicants to refine the process before fully rolling out a modernized pre-application system later this year.
If you are considering a project in Surrey, we would be happy to walk you through how this new process could apply to your proposal and how we can support you in preparing a strong, well-coordinated submission.
For further information, you may find the City’s Corporate Report summarizing the pilot pre-application process linked here.
Surrey's list of pre-application requirements is as follows.
