Maple Ridge advances zoning, permit and rental-housing measures

Maple Ridge council has advanced a package of housing measures under its Housing Action Plan, Building Our Community for All. The actions include new zoning for growth areas, an expedited permit pilot for eligible small multi-unit projects and policy changes aimed at protecting renters.

Council moved forward with four new medium- and high-density zones for Transit-Oriented Areas, the Town Centre and the Lougheed Transit Corridor. The proposed zones are intended to support apartments and mixed-use buildings near transit, services, shops and jobs, with updated rules for height, density, amenities, commercial space and design.

The updates would also provide flexibility for lock-off suites and incentives for more three-bedroom apartment units. The City says the measures are intended to improve options for multigenerational households, renters and families.

An Expedited Processing Program pilot for eligible triplex and fourplex projects is scheduled to begin Sept. 1, 2026. The one-year pilot uses a qualified-professional assurance checklist to streamline development-permit applications, without creating density beyond that permitted under provincial small-scale multi-unit housing legislation.

Council also approved policy changes supporting a new Tenant Protection Bylaw, revised relocation-assistance policies and a Rental Protection Policy. The new rental policy encourages at least one-for-one replacement of rental units lost through redevelopment and gives eligible tenants priority access to replacement homes.

Maple Ridge has been approved for up to $16.6 million through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund beginning in 2025. The City said it is continuing to assess partnerships and funding tools for rental and non-market housing, while planning housing alongside infrastructure, services, jobs and commercial growth. More information is available at MapleRidge.ca/Housing.