Transit-Oriented Areas (TOAs) are defined as areas within a prescribed distance from a transit station and are intended to be developed as areas of mixed-use, complete communities.
Transit-Oriented Areas Open House
The Transit-Oriented Areas Open House took place on June 5, 2025, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Maple Ridge Library, Fraser Room (2nd Floor). The event focused on how the City of Maple Ridge is planning for land use updates on the three Maple Ridge Transit-Oriented Areas (TOAs). Thank you to everyone who attended the Housing Open House. We appreciate your participation and engagement! You can now view and read the Open House Boards by clicking here.
New Provincial Legislation
At the end of 2023, the Provincial government passed Bill 47 – Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act, 2023 which requires municipalities to designate Transit Oriented Areas (TOAs) near transit hubs to permit housing developments that meet the minimum density framework for allowable height and density.
A Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) is a designated area within a prescribed distance around a transit centre.
This approach to land use planning locates high-density, mixed-use development within walking distance from frequent transit services. It typically incorporates a variety of land uses, including residential, commercial (such as, grocery stores and retail) and community amenities (such as childcare and community centres). The intent is to promote the creation of complete, liveable, and sustainable communities by building more housing options near transit and services.
The TOA framework creates a tier system (based on distance from the transit centre) that defines standards such as minimum allowable density and heights and removes minimum parking requirements for off-street residential. The goal is to create mixed-use, complete communities and enable greater mobility options.
Maple Ridge TOAs
In Maple Ridge, the Province has identified three TOAs which are subject to the Transit-Oriented framework:
- Port Haney Station
- Maple Meadows Station
- Haney Place Transit Exchange
View a map of the three TOAs in Maple Ridge
In June of 2024, Council approved the Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) Designation Bylaw No. 8001-2024, which designates the three TOAs to reflect provincial regulation changes. To address these new set of rules, the City is also updating land uses in a targeted way for the three Transit-Oriented Areas.
Key Changes in TOAs
Parking
The City cannot require applicants to include residential vehicle parking spaces in a residential building in a TOA. Parking will still be required for accessibility stalls and bicycles. In other types of uses or buildings, such as commercial (e.g., a retail store) and institutional (e.g., a school), parking requirements have not been impacted.
Density and Height
Under Bill 47, all lands located within 400 metres of a frequent bus transit stop can now allow for the following minimum densities and heights as set out by the Province. Development criteria are organized in two Tiers for the three TOAs. Allowable densities and heights are shown on the table below:
| Distance from Transit Hub | Minimum Allowable Height (Number of Storeys) | Minimum Allowable Density (FAR/FSR) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier.4 | < 200 m | 12 | Up to 4.0 |
| Tier.5 | 201 – 400m | 8 | Up to 3.0 |