Buying a Home in Maple Ridge: The Rules

On this page (11 sections)

Maple Ridge runs from the Lougheed Highway town centre out to acreages and farmland in the north and east, so the rule that matters depends on where the lot is. These are the City-wide ones, in plain words, with the official source for each at the bottom.

Zoning and lot sizes

  • Zoning Bylaw No. 7600-2019 sets what each lot can be used for and built on. Look up the exact parcel’s zone with the City before you count on anything.
  • A typical urban house lot is zoned RS-1 (Single Detached Residential): at least 668 m² in area, 18 m wide and 27 m deep, with up to 40% lot coverage.
  • Rural and farm zones need far more land to subdivide: A-1 2.0 ha, A-2 4.0 ha, A-3 8.0 ha, RS-2 0.4 ha, and RS-3 0.8 ha or 2.0 ha depending on the zone.
  • Subdivision servicing runs under the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw No. 4800-1993.

Suites and small-scale housing

  • One secondary suite is allowed per lot, inside the house, up to 40% of its gross floor area. A suite is not allowed in the floodplain area.
  • Under the City’s small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) bylaws, eligible single-detached and duplex lots can have three, four or six units, depending on the lot and its servicing.

Floodplain, farmland and rural servicing

  • The City sets floodplain construction rules for low-lying land near the Fraser and its rivers. Ask for the flood construction level for the exact lot.
  • Parts of rural Maple Ridge are in the Agricultural Land Reserve. ALR status is set parcel by parcel on the ALC’s map.
  • Some rural properties run on a well and septic system instead of City water and sewer. Get the well record and a septic inspection before you firm up.

Property taxes

  • Maple Ridge’s 2026 property taxes were due July 2, 2026. A 5% penalty applied to any balance left on July 3, and another 5% on September 2.

Mobile homes and growth plans

  • If a manufactured home park is redeveloped, the City’s Manufactured Home Park Redevelopment Tenant Assistance Policy (No. 627) applies.
  • Along Lougheed Highway, the Lougheed Transit Corridor Area Plan guides denser, transit-oriented housing. Check it for any lot near the corridor.
  • TransLink’s Langley to Haney Place bus rapid transit line (22 km from Willowbrook) is still in planning, so price a home on today’s bus service.

Before you remove subjects in Maple Ridge

  • The parcel’s zone, and whether its lot size allows what you plan.
  • Any suite’s permit, and that the lot is outside the floodplain area.
  • ALR status, the well record and the septic report on a rural lot.
  • The flood construction level if the land is low.

Rules change, so confirm anything that matters for your purchase with the City of Maple Ridge and your lawyer.

Areas with their own rules

Rules that are the same everywhere in BC

Sources

Neighbourhood guides that use this page

Common questions

Can I add a suite to a house in Maple Ridge?

One secondary suite per lot is allowed inside the house, up to 40% of its gross floor area, but not in the floodplain area. Check the lot’s zone and get a permit.

How many units can I build on a Maple Ridge lot?

Under the City’s small-scale housing bylaws, eligible single-detached and duplex lots can have three, four or six units, depending on the lot and servicing.

What Buyers & Sellers Say

Excerpts from Google reviews for Jared Gibbons, REALTOR® at Royal LePage Little Oak Realty (Suite 201 - 15272 Croydon Dr, Surrey). Quoted word for word; initials only.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    “I have sold and purchased a place with Jared and it was an excellent experience both times. Jared is very professional but also down to Earth which is a big reason I've enjoyed working with him…”

    B.R. Google review

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    “First time home buyer. Jared came recommended and I can see why. Helped me and my family find a home we really loved and got us a good price. I felt like I had someone who was on my side the entire process and told it like it was. Very genuine…”

    D.S. Google review

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    “I recently had the pleasure of working with Jared on a real estate transaction. He was the listing agent, and my clients were the thrilled buyers. From start to finish, Jared made the entire process incredibly smooth…”

    G.D. Google review

Ready to get started?

Call 604-928-1361 or Email me today and let's discuss your next home sale or purchase.