Surrey cracks down on illegal construction

The City of Surrey says it issued a legal notice on another Surrey property for unpermitted construction on Monday.

According to a press release, council has met seven times over the last 12 months regarding various unpermitted construction violations.

As a result, the city has issued 11 legal notices to 22 property owners since July last year.

In each of these cases, “the owners have illegal construction and occupied the buildings without permits and in violation of the City’s Building Bylaws,” the release reads.

The property owners faced substantial penalties, including over $50,000 in fines and fees, 73 bylaw enforcement notices, and 78 site visit fees.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says she is determined to crack down on unsafe, illegal construction.

“The City of Surrey will not tolerate illegal construction,” she said.

The violations of illegal constructions included adding unauthorized second stories, units, decks, and garages.

“We are actually taking action very quickly and firmly by putting notice on title to people that are going against their stop work orders,” Locke explained.

In the recent violation from July 7, the owners constructed an addition at the back of the house, adding two dwelling units, a rooftop deck, and two awnings –none of which had received the required permits.

“The safety of Surrey residents is our first and utmost concern, and we are taking a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to illegal construction,” Locke said.

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