British ColumbiaSurrey city council has voted to file notices on title to two properties to alert the public and prospective buyers that there is unpermitted construction on the property. The city announced three other unpermitted structures have been demolished as a result of court orders.Issues include unpermitted dwelling units in barn, unpermitted home with multiple unitsCBC News · Posted: Nov 26, 2025 4:13 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Surrey city staff say this structure, pictured while it was under construction in October 2024, was built without a permit. Now it is occupied, but council has voted to put a notice on the property title. (City of Surrey)Surrey, B.C., says it is getting tough on illegal construction in the city.City council voted Monday to file a notice on title to two properties where owners have illegally constructed and occupied the buildings without permits, violating the city’s building bylaw.The city said in a news release that its actions will “encourage accountability, enforce compliance and put the safety of residents first.””We are taking a zero-tolerance approach as we continue to tackle illegal construction in Surrey,” said Mayor Brenda Locke in the release.A stop-work order posted Aug. 1, 2024 at 16055 60 Ave. in Surrey, B.C., for interior renovations to a farm building without a permit. (City of Surrey)Staff said filing the notices will alert the public and prospective purchasers about the unpermitted work that could contravene bylaws or regulations related to building safety.City staff said a property at 16055 60 Ave. had a permit for a barn, but construction on it included five dwelling units and multiple other rooms, according to a report to council.A photograph taken by city staff at 16055 60 Ave. in Surrey, B.C., on Aug. 12, 2025, of a living/kitchen area in a dwelling unit built in a structure only permitted as a barn. (City of Surrey)Staff said in the report that “there is no realistic path for the owners to obtain a building permit to retain the unpermitted construction.””The construction has progressed to a point where many essential elements are now obscured, preventing the inspections staff considers necessary to confirm safety and compliance with the Building Bylaw and British Columbia Building Code.”The structure is now occupied, despite not having an occupancy permit, according to the staff report.Surrey city staff took a photo of the property at 16055 60 Ave. showing the inside of a structure permitted as a ‘barn’ with drywall material on the ground on Aug. 6, 2024, after a stop-work order had been posted. (City of Surrey)A property at 16835 26 Ave. had no building permit, but its owner still constructed a two-storey detached structure in the backyard, according to another staff report.The structure was also occupied without an occupancy permit, according to a city solicitor’s letter attached to the staff report.City staff in Surrey photographed the property on March 17, 2025, showing portions of the finished living room and kitchen in an unpermitted unit at 16835 26 Ave. (City of Surrey)Staff said — as it did in its report on the property on 60 Avenue — that many essential elements on the property are obscured by the construction progress which prevents necessary inspections.Bylaw officers estimated the structure includes eight units, according to the report.In the solicitor’s letters to both owners sent in September, staff said the owners will be expected to demolish the unpermitted work.Court-ordered demolitionsThe city also announced three illegal construction files have been concluded after court-ordered demolitions.”Court-ordered demolitions are one of the many ways we ensure compliance and protect our communities,” Locke said.One owner was required to demolish an unauthorized addition to the main residence that included “interconnected decks and an extension that contained two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.”Another owner had to demolish an unauthorized laneway and unauthorized extension to the main residence.A third owner was ordered to demolish an unauthorized extension to the house and an accessory building, as well as an unpermitted shed renovation.The city did not include addresses for the structures that were demolished.Surrey launched its illegal construction enforcement team in 2022.Then-mayor Doug McCallum said at the time that illegal unpermitted construction is six times more likely to result in serious safety issues.With files from Lauren Vanderdeen
Surrey cracks down on illegal home construction, unpermitted renovations
