Surrey Plumbing By-law, 1981, No. 6569 (Consolidated to 2026)
Surrey, British Columbia
· No. 6569
· adopted 1981-03-02
· summary & facts
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CITY OF SURREY
BY-LAW NO. 6569
A by-law to amend the administration of enforcement of the
British Columbia Plumbing Code.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
As amended by By-laws No. 7026, 02/01/82; 9960, 03/13/90; 10368, 01/22/90; 10797, 01/28/91;
12268, 04/25/94; 12384, 07/02/94; 12828, 05/13/96; 13171, 07/29/97; 13220, 09/22/97; 13594, 12/14/98;
14100, 09/18/00; 14188, 12/04/00; 14531, 10/22/01; 14579, 12/03/01; 14613, 01/28/02; 14739, 07/15/02;
14933, 03/24/03; 15936, 02/13/06; 16207, 01/15/07; 16528, 01/14/08; 16855, 01/19/09; 17077, 12/14/09;
17320, 01/10/11; 17564, 02/06/12; 17839, 12/17/12; 18132, 01/13/14; 18356, 01/12/15; 18588, 12/14/15;
18980, 12/19/16; 19426, 12/18/17; 19716, 12/19/18; 19982, 12/16/19; 20221, 12/21/20; 20507, 12/24/21;
20874, 04/17/23; 21228, 05/06/24; 21611, 04/28/2025; 21971, 04/13/2026
THIS IS A CONSOLIDATED BYLAW PREPARED BY THE CITY OF SURREY FOR CONVENIENCE
ONLY. THE CITY DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
CONSOLIDATION IS CURRENT. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSON USING THIS
CONSOLIDATION TO ENSURE THAT IT ACCURATELY REFLECTS CURRENT BYLAW
PROVISIONS.
WHEREAS by Section 740 of the "Municipal Act" being Chapter 290 R.S.B.C. 1979, as
amended, it is provided that the British Columbia Plumbing Code adopted by regulation
made by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council pursuant thereto, and as amended, added to,
or varied by regulations made under Subsection (3) of said section applies to all Cities and
has the same force and effect as a validly enacted By-law of the City;
AND WHEREAS it is deemed desirable and expedient to make provision for the
administration and enforcement within the City of Surrey of the British Columbia
Plumbing Code as adopted pursuant to said Section 740 (2) and as the same may be
amended, added to, or varied by regulation pursuant to Section 740 (3);
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Surrey, in open meeting assembled,
ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
1.
This By-law may be cited for all purposes as "Surrey Plumbing By-law, 1981, No. 6569."
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Definitions:
2.
In this By-law:
"Agent" includes a person, firm or corporation representing
the owner by designation or contract and inter alia includes a hired
tradesman and contractor who may be granted permits for work within the
limitations of his license.
"Authority having jurisdiction" means the City Council
of the City of Surrey acting through its duly appointed Plumbing Inspector.
"Plumbing Code" and "Code" means the British Columbia
Plumbing Code as adopted by regulations made by the Lieutenant-
Governor in Council pursuant to Section 740 of the "Municipal Act" and as
amended, added to, or varied by regulations made under Section 740 of the
said Act.
1.
Scope
1.1
All plumbing inside the property lines of premises located within the City,
including the practice, materials and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance
and alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances and appurtenances, including
sanitary, storm and drainage systems, venting systems and water supply systems,
shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this By-law and the
Plumbing Code.
1.2
Unless otherwise provided for in this By-law or the Plumbing Code, all materials,
fixtures or devices used, or entering into the construction of plumbing and
drainage systems or parts thereof, shall conform to the minimum applicable
standard as set forth in this By-law and the Plumbing Code and shall be free from
defects.
1.3
All design, construction and workmanship shall be in conformity with accepted
practice and shall be of such character as to secure the results sought to be
obtained by this By-law and the Plumbing Code.
2.
Permits
2.1
No connection shall be made with any sewer and no construction, reconstruction,
renewal, repair, replacement, alteration or extension of any plumbing system or
any part thereof shall be started until a permit to do so has been obtained.
2.2
No permit shall be required for the clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks
in pipes, valves or fixtures, when such repairs do not involve or require the
replacement or rearrangement of pipes, valves or fixtures.
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2.3
No permit shall be required for the installation of a water meter under the City of
Surrey's residential water meter program.
3.
Application for Permit
3.1
Application for a permit shall be made to the Plumbing Inspector on the form
provided for this purpose, and shall be accompanied by the required fee in
accordance with the schedule of fees prescribed herein.
3.2
The City may cancel an application for a permit, and the fees paid in support of
the application will be forfeited, if the permit cannot be issued within 180 days
from the date of notification to the applicant, by the City, regarding deficiencies
with the permit application.
4.
Plans and Specifications
4.1
Every application for a permit shall be accompanied by plans and
specifications which shall clearly illustrate the proposed work including:
(a)
The location and size of every building drain and of any traps or
inspection pieces thereon.
(b)
Sectional drawings which show the size and location of every soil
pipe, trap, vent pipe and water distribution system.
(c)
All other information required by the Plumbing Inspector.
5.
Issuance of Permit
5.1
If the Plumbing Inspector finds that the proposed work will comply in every
respect with this By-law and the Plumbing Code, he may issue a permit.
5.2
A permit issued under this By-law and the Plumbing Code shall be valid for six (6)
months from the date of issue, after which time it shall become void, and no
further work shall be done until a new permit shall have been issued.
5.3
No plumbing work may be carried out beyond that specifically provided for in the
permit.
5.4
Neither the granting of the permit, nor the approval of plans and specifications,
nor inspections made by the Plumbing Inspector shall in any way relieve the
permit holder from full responsibility for carrying out the work in strict
accordance with this By-law and the Plumbing Code.
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5.5
After a plumbing permit has been issued, no departure shall be made from the
plan or description of the work approved for issuance of said permit, unless such
change is approved by the Plumbing Inspector as conforming to this By-law and
the Plumbing Code and such alteration is duly authenticated by the Plumbing
Inspector in writing.
6.
Revocation of Permit
6.1
The Plumbing Inspector shall revoke any permits as follows:
(a)
If any reason is found to exist which would have been cause for denial of
such permit, if known to exist at the time of issuance of said permit; or
(b)
For any violation of any provision of this By-law or the Plumbing Code on
the part of the Permit Holder or his agents or employees in doing any act
or work authorized to be done by such permit;
(c)
If any person other than the Permit Holder or his agent or his employee
has been allowed to use said permit for any purpose.
7.
Appointment of Plumbing Inspector
7.1
A Plumbing Inspector or Plumbing Inspectors may be appointed by Council
Resolution.
7.2
The Plumbing Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to administer the
provisions of this By-law and the Plumbing Code.
7.3
The Plumbing Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to issue permits for
any of the purposes mentioned in this By-law and the Plumbing Code.
7.4
The Plumbing Inspector is hereby authorized to enter, at all reasonable times,
upon any property to ascertain whether or not the provisions of this By-law and
the Plumbing Code are being complied with.
8.
Inspections and Tests
8.1
All plumbing work for which a permit is required, and all existing systems as may
be affected by such work, shall be subject to inspection and test by the Plumbing
Inspector, and shall not be put into use until it has been approved by the
Plumbing Inspector.
8.2
No plumbing system or part thereof shall be covered until it has been inspected
and approved. If any plumbing system or part thereof is covered before being
inspected or approved, it shall be uncovered upon the direction of the Plumbing
Inspector.
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8.3
The Plumbing Inspector may require the Permit Holder to give at least forty-eight
(48) hours or two (2) working days notice in writing, giving the permit number,
when any plumbing work is completed and ready for inspection or test.
8.4
All equipment, materials, power and labour necessary for inspection or testing
shall be furnished by the Permit Holder and all tests shall be made under the
direction of the Plumbing Inspector.
8.5
If the plumbing work is not approved by the Plumbing Inspector, the Permit
Holder shall make such alterations, corrections or replacements as may be
necessary, and the work shall be subject to further inspection or test.
8.6
On the satisfactory completion and final test of the plumbing system, a certificate
of approval shall be issued to the owner and, on request, to the Plumbing
Contractor.
9.
Scale of Fees
9.1
The fees hereinafter shall be payable to the City by every applicant to install, alter
or repair plumbing before the issuance of any permit.
9.2
If the plumbing authorized is not commenced within six (6) months from the date
the permit is issued, such permit shall be void and no work shall be done until a
new permit has been issued.
9.3
Any person who shall begin the installation, alteration or repair of any plumbing
work covered by this By-law without first taking out a permit or first obtaining
written authority from the Plumbing Inspector shall, when subsequently taking
out such a permit, pay double the fees hereinafter provided.
9.4
Each internal roof drain, floor drain, hot water storage tank, catch basin,
automatic washer, sanitary sewer pump, oil or grease interceptor, backflow
prevention device, drain tile system, storm sewer sump and similar items which
are connected to a sanitary drain or water supply shall be deemed to be a fixture
and permit fees shall be levied as such.
9.5
An additional hourly fee of $333.00 (1 hour minimum) for plan review will be
imposed where the application information and/or supporting plans are
inadequate. Supporting plans will be deemed inadequate when there are
substantial deficiencies, errors and/or omissions in the submitted
documents/plans.
Fees
9.6
First Fixture (excludes backflow preventer) ................................................................ $161.00
Each additional fixture (excludes backflow preventer)................................................. $49.00
First backflow preventer (includes backflow device test report)................................ $200.00
Each additional backflow preventer (includes backflow
device test report) .......................................................................................................... $88.00
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Preliminary site visit, fee .............................................................................................. $240.00
For pumping out and filling a septic tank ....................................................................... $33.00
9.7
For the alterations or remodeling of any plumbing, where no
additional fixtures are installed, a fee of ......................................................................... $98.00
9.8
For the installation of any fire sprinkler system, for the first two (2) heads,
for Residential a fee of ..................................................................................................... $161.00
for Commercial a fee of ..................................................................................................$422.00
for each additional head, a fee of ..................................................................................... $4.40
9.9
For the installation of any fire water service line, for the first
one hundred (100) feet .................................................................................................... $98.00
for each additional one hundred (100) feet, or portion thereof
hydrants and standpipes, per hydrant or standpipe fee ................................................ $59.00
9.10
Except in the case of a single family residence, for the installation
of storm or sanitary sewer systems and water service connections
over 3/4 inches in diameter, the first one hundred (100) feet, a fee of .......................... $98.00
for each additional one hundred (100) feet or a portion thereof ................................... $59.00
9.11
For connection of a single family residence to sanitary sewer ...................................... $98.00
9.12
For the installation of swimming pool supply and drainage lines, including
a sanitary or storm sewer service connection where required, a fee of ......................... $118.00
9.13
For the connection of domestic water from private supply to City Supply .................. $98.00
9.14
For the removal and replacement of existing piping in multi-family
dwellings, per unit ........................................................................................................... $42.00
9.15
For the Transfer or Assignment of a Plumbing Permit and to
record a change of contractor for a project .................................................................. $121.00
9.16
For the installation of a hydronic heating system for each 1,000 BTUs
of the boiler input, a fee of ............................................................................................... $5.30
To a maximum of .......................................................................................................... $679.00
9.17
Minor plumbing field design/construction revisions ................................................... $64.00
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9.18
Extension of plumbing permits ..................................................................................... $114.00
All fees are subject to applicable taxes.
10.
Site Visit Fees
(1)
Site Visit Requests
Where an owner applicant requests a plumbing review not provided for in
the fee schedule, or a site visit is required to assess the status of a property,
the fee shall be:
a)
during normal hours ........................ $240.00 per hour (one hour minimum)
b)
after hours during which the offices .............. $835.00 plus $240.00 per hour
of the City Hall are normally open,
for each hour or part thereof
the fee, in addition to other required
beyond the first four hours
fees, to be based on the time actually
spent in making such site visit,
including travel time.
(2)
Site Re-Visit Requests
a)
a site re-visit fee will be imposed whenever ...................................... $240.00
a plumbing review was called for and the work
to be reviewed was not ready for plumbing
review. Plumbing reviews not ready shall be
deemed to include any review called for
where the work to be reviewed was not
complete or where there was a substantial
number of deficiencies which indicated that
the work was not checked over prior to calling
for review.
b)
For second and further site visit subsequent ................ $240.00 per site visit
to a site re-visit in paragraph (a)
All fees are subject to applicable taxes.
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11.
Prohibited Acts
11.1
No person shall construct, install, remove, alter, repair, use or maintain any
plumbing, fire sprinkler system, or standpipe in violation of this By-law and the
Plumbing Code.
11.2
No person shall use or maintain any private sewage disposal system on any lot or
parcel of land which abuts on any portion of a public way or sewer easement in
which a public sewer exists and is ready for use.
11.3
No person shall use any plumbing fixtures, appliance, apparatus, equipment,
device or material, unless same has been approved as to its fitness and safety for its
intended use or purposes pursuant to this By-law and the Plumbing Code.
12.
Existing Construction
12.1
Nothing contained in this By-law or the Plumbing Code shall be construed to
require any construction or work, regulated by this By-law or the Plumbing Code,
to be altered, changed, reconstructed, removed or demolished if such construction
or work was installed during the currency of and in accordance with any law in
effect prior to the effective date of this By-law or the Plumbing Code.
Buildings moved into or raised in the City must comply with all requirements of
this By-law and the Plumbing Code.
13.
Stop Work Orders
13.1
The Plumbing Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to direct the
immediate cessation or correction of all or any portion of the plumbing work on
any building or structure by attaching a notice to that effect up on such building
or structure whenever such work is not being performed in accordance with the
revisions of this or any other By-law or the Plumbing Code.
13.2
No person shall do any plumbing work, or continue to do any plumbing work
upon any building or structure contrary to the provisions of the Notice of the
Plumbing Inspector directing the cessation of or correction of any plumbing work
performed upon any building or structure.
14.
Connection to a Sewerage System
14.1
Every building in which plumbing fixtures are installed shall have a connection to
a public sewer where available, or when a public sewer is not available to an
approved private sewage disposal system.
14.2
No existing building shall be connected to a public sanitary sewer until the
plumbing system in that building has been inspected and approved by the
Plumbing Inspector.
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14.3
In default of any person connecting a building to a public sanitary sewer within
the applicable period referred to in this by-law of the Plumbing Code, the Council
of the City of Surrey may direct that such connection be made by its workmen or
by others at the expense of the person so defaulting, and the Council may recover
the expense thereof with interest at the rate of six percentum per annum, with
costs in like manner as City taxes.
15.
Penalties
15.1
Every person who violates any of the provisions of this by-law or the Plumbing
Code, or who suffers or permits any act or thing to be done in contravention or in
violation of any of the provisions of this by-law or the Plumbing Code, or who
neglects to do or refrains from doing anything required to be done by any of the
provisions of this by-law, or who does any act which violates any of the provisions
of this by-law or the Plumbing Code, shall be guilty of an infraction thereof and be
liable to the penalties hereby imposed and each day that such violation is
permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offence.
15.2
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this by-law shall upon summary
conviction thereof be liable to a penalty of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and
not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) and shall be required to bring
such violation into compliance with this by-law."
16.
Repeal Section
The following By-laws are hereby repealed:
1.
"Plumbing Regulation By-law, 1973, No. 4130"
2.
"Plumbing Regulation By-law, 1973, No. 4130, Amendment By-law, 1974,
No. 4312"
3.
"Plumbing Regulation By-law, 1973, No. 4130, Amendment By-law, 1976,
No. 4849"
4.
"Plumbing Regulation By-law, 1973, No. 4130, Amendment By-law, 1977,
No. 5286"
PASSED by Municipal Council on the 23rd day of February, 1981.
RECONSIDERED AND FINALLY ADOPTED, signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed
with the Corporate Seal on the 2nd day of March, 1981.
________"D.A. ROSS"_______MAYOR
_______"W. VOLLRATH"_____CLERK