Infill Development Options

What is RS-1 Zoning?

All land has a zoning classification, which corresponds with the uses and building regulations permitted on the property. The RS-1 zone is a residential zone that allows a primary use of a single detached home and a secondary use, such as a detached garden suite or secondary suite, and workshop/shed/detached garage. The RS-1 zone has a minimum lot size of 668 m² (7,190 ft²) and was a widely used zone after World War II through to the early 2000’s for development of urban single detached houses. Today, the RS-1 zone minimum lot size is considered quite sizable for a single detached housing form and is one of the largest urban single detached zones in the City’s Zoning Bylaw.

What is the Purpose of the Infill Development Options Work?

Through this review, the Planning Department is exploring three changes to the RS-1 Single Detached Residential Zone:

Accelerated approval process for duplexes
Accelerated approval process for 371 m²/4,000 ft²lots
Setting a maximum buildable area for brand new home
construction on RS-1 zoned lots

Why are we doing this?

The City is exploring these changes to the RS-1 zone to both regulate the construction of new homes and permit a broader range of uses that contribute to housing choice, which aligns with the City’s Housing Action Plan (see inset). The aim of this zoning review includes the following desired outcomes:

Create improved compatibility with new construction and existing housing stock;
Allow for modest density increase and expanded range of housing forms within existing single-detached neighbourhoods;
Locate new housing units in proximity to existing under capacity schools and transit service;
Reduce and streamline infill development approval time; and
Provide an additional funding stream for neighbourhood amenities.

What steps is the City taking?

This work is happening in three defined steps that kicked off in June 2022.

Step 1: Background Report to Council

On June 14, 2022, Council directed staff to proceed with the work as outlined. View the staff report here: www.mapleridge.ca/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06142022-3871 pg 28, the staff presentation and Council feedback video recording here City of Maple Ridge - All Presentations - Council Workshop - June 14 2022 .

Step 2: Public Consultation

In this step, the City is sharing information with the public through its website, social media channels, and other publications. Information sources include a video, recorded presentations, written content, and a survey.

As part of public input, staff will engage with developers and builders at one or more Industry Professional Workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to better understand re-development pinch points and design solutions. Step 2 will complete with an engagement summary report to Council in November 2022.

Step 3: Proposed Bylaw Amendments

The last step in the process involves amendments to the RS-1 zone regulations, which require four approval readings from Council and a Public Hearing. This process is anticipated to begin in 2023.

Other Recent Housing Projects in Maple Ridge

The Housing Action Plan Housing-Action-Plan-Final-PDF (mapleridge.ca) Housing Action Plan | Maple Ridge, BC was endorsed by Council in 2014 with an intent to expand housing forms within the community. A Housing Action Plan implementation framework was endorsed by Council in 2015 (include link to the document) and since that time, several pieces of work aimed at increasing housing choice have been undertaken, including:

Review of regulations for secondary suites and detached garden suites; Secondary Suites | Maple Ridge, BC
Removal of the owner occupancy provision for secondary suites and detached garden suites; Detached Garden Suites | Maple Ridge, BC
Creation of a new R-4 Single Detached (Infill) Urban Residential zone; July 17, 2018 Council Workshop Agenda and Reports (mapleridge.ca)
Reduction of the RT-1 Two-Unit Urban Residential minimum lot size; and February 26, 2019 Council Agenda and Reports (mapleridge.ca) pg. 69
Adoption of Ground-Oriented Residential Infill Guidelines for triplexes, fourplexes, and courtyard units. Ground-oriented Residential Infill | Maple Ridge, BC

In addition to the above work, the City completed a Housing Needs Report, Council Workshop Meeting Agenda and Reports February 9, 2021 (mapleridge.ca) Housing Needs Report | Maple Ridge, BC), which was endorsed by Council in February 2021. The Report outcomes are providing the City with a better understanding of our current and future housing needs and is being utilized as a foundation for planning and decision-making for the next five years. Housing for families and seniors are two key areas of local need identified through the assessment that the RS-1 zone review seeks to address. Maple Ridge has limited housing diversity, and over half of the City’s housing units are single-detached dwellings. Over the 2006-2016 time period, when considering residential units by bedroom type, the data indicates an increase in the proportion of very large units (4+bedrooms) and smaller units(1-bedroom). Additionally, the City’s aging population needs appropriate housing that is both accessible and ground oriented. The Housing Needs Assessment identifies a need for more affordable family-friendly housing options such as infill duplexes, which can provide 2- and 3-bedroom units as attainable options in proximity to schools and services.