Detached Garden Suites (DGS) have been permitted in Maple Ridge since regulations were adopted in 2008 and continue to provide an important form of affordable housing in the City of Maple Ridge that benefits both renters and homeowners.
A detached garden suite (or DGS) is not intended to be a second principal house on the one family lot but is rather meant to be detached, accessory and subordinate in nature to the main house.
What is New?
Larger Detached Garden Suites
On October 24, 2023, Council adopted Zone Amending Bylaw No.7866-2022 to permit detached garden suites up to 140m2 (1,500 ft2) or 15% of the lot area, whichever is less, in the zones that already permit a detached garden suite outside of the Agricultural Land Reserve. Detached garden suites within the Agricultural Land Reserve have a maximum gross floor area of 90m2. Prior to adoption, the topic was discussed at the July 11, 2023 Workshop and the September 5, 2023, Committee of the Whole meeting.
- To read the July 11, 2023 Council Workshop Report, click here.
- To watch the July 11, 2023, Council Workshop (st 1:41:18), click here.
- To read the September 5, 2023, Committee of the Whole, click here.
- To watch the September 5, Committee of the Whole (st 00:24:00), click here.
Detached Garden Suite Regulations
All detached garden suite regulations can be found in the City of Maple Ridge Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019. The following information provides a summary of the regulations that apply to detached garden suites within Maple Ridge.
- Detached garden suites are permitted in specific zones, please refer to the Zoning Bylaw.
- One detached garden suite per lot is permitted and are not permitted on lots that are less than 557m2 in area.
- Detached garden suites must not more than 140m2or 15% of the lot area (whichever is less); unless the property is within the Agricultural Land Reserve.
- Detached garden suites within the Agricultural Land Reserve must not be more than 90m2 or 15% of the lot area (whichever is less)
- One parking off-street parking space must be dedicated to the detached garden suite.
- Detached garden suites must not be situated within the Floodplain Area
- Detached garden suites must remain under the same legal title.
- Detached garden suites must not be used for short-term/ vacation rentals.
- Detached garden suites are not permitted where there is a Bed and Breakfast, Boarding, Secondary Suite (unless within the Agricultural Land Reserve), Temporary Residential, Caretaker Residential, or Two-Unit Residential on a lot.
Ongoing Work
At the April 26, 2022, Council Workshop, Council received a report that presented eleven accessory dwelling unit (such as secondary suites) regulatory options that would support affordable housing options by expanding the rental stock in a community where infrastructure and amenities, such as schools, parks, and shopping/services, already exist. At this meeting, Council directed staff to bring forward a report that provides detailed information and description of the amendments for ten of the eleven recommendations. To read the April 26, 2022, Workshop report, click here: Agenda/Report
Below are the ten recommendations moved by Council and the current progress on each item.
| Item | Progress | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Removal of the maximum and minimum gross floor area requirement for secondary suites | Completed. Zone Amending Bylaw 7857-2022 adopted September 27, 2022. |
| 2. | Development of 'Alternate Compliance Methods for Alterations to Existing Buildings to Add a Secondary Suite' in the BC Building Code | In progress. More information to come. |
| 3. | Options to potentially allow secondary suites in all single-detached residential zones | In progress. More information to come. |
| 4. | Permitting secondary suites in ground-orientated duplexes and townhouses | In progress (duplex only). More information to come. |
| 5. | Permitting secondary suites and detached garden suites on the same lot in the Agricultural Land Reserve | Completed. Zone Amending Bylaw No. 7929-2023 adopted June 27, 2023. |
| 6. | Allowing flexible siting of a detached garden suite on a lot | More information to come in Q3 2023. |
| 7. | Removal of the minimum gross floor area requirement for detached garden suites | Completed. Bylaw 7857-2022 adopted September 27, 2022. |
| 8. | Permitting larger detached garden suites in specific residential zones | Completed. Bylaw No. 7866-2022 adopted October 24, 2023. |
| 9. | Permitting secondary suites and detached garden suites on the same lot in all residential zones | More information to come in Q3 2023. |
| 10. | Development of program, for council consideration, that would create “pre-approved” building plan templates for detached garden suites | Subject to Council input, process to be initiated in Q4 2023. |
Have Questions?
If you have questions, please contact the Planning Department:
Email: planning@mapleridge.ca
Phone: 604-467-7341
Fax: 604-466-4327
Visit City Hall at: 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9