Anyone who owns, maintains or operates a Business in the City of Maple Ridge, requires a business licence.
We're Here to Help!
Getting a business licence is a simple process that is required of all businesses operating in Maple Ridge.
Some of the benefits to obtaining a business licence include:
- Makes your business a legal operation in terms of the City of Maple Ridge's Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw
- Lists the business in the City of Maple Ridge Business Directory (home-based, commercial and daycare business licences only)
- Enables the City to regulate the types and locations of businesses conducted within its jurisdiction
- Supports the development of promotional materials aimed at attracting business investment and job creation
- Assists with the development of demographic and statistical information on the local business climate
Short-Term Rentals
As of April 2025, City Council endorsed a Short-Term Rental framework which now allows Short-Term Rentals (i.e. Airbnb, VRBO, Bed & Breakfasts) to operate in Maple Ridge. The City is now accepting Short-Term Rental Business Licence applications. Please review our Short-Term Rental Operator Guide prior to submitting an application. At this time, online submissions are not currently available.
7 Steps to Obtain a Business Licence
Choose the type of business you are applying for.
Non-Resident: Non-Resident Business Licence Application Process Guide
A business which is not located in Maple Ridge but provides services within Maple Ridge. (e.g. contractors, mobile health services, mobile food vendors)
Home-Based: Home-Based Business Licence Application Process Guide
Home based business licence – A business which is operated from a residence in Maple Ridge and operates as an accessory use to the home. (e.g. mobile contractors, bookkeeping, personal services)
Commercial: Commercial Business Licence Application Guide
Commercial business licence – A business using a commercial/industrial location to operate a business. (e.g. store front, warehouse, manufacturing)
NOTE: Non-Profit Operators are still required to obtain one of the above Licences.
Non-residents: If you have any questions of the eligibility of operating your business within Maple Ridge, please contact Business Licensing at buslic@mapleridge.ca
Home Based: Review Section 402.14 Home Occupation in Zoning Bylaw No 7600-2019 which prescribes the Type of Homebased Business permitted on your Lot Size and any limitations.
Type 1-Home Occupation Regulations
Type 2-Home Occupation Regulations
Type 3-Home Occupation Regulations
Type 4-Home Occupation Regulations
If you are applying for a Short-Term Rental, please refer to the Short-Term Rental Operator Guide
If you are applying for a Home Based Daycare, please refer to the Home Based Daycare Guide.
If you are applying for an in-home salon or spa please refer to the In Home Personal Services - Spa Services Business Licence Guide
Commercial: Please ensure you fully understand any requirements before you enter into a sales or lease agreement.
If you are applying for a Commercial /Industrial business please refer to the Commercial Business Licence Application Guide.
Zoning - Confirm the property has the correct zoning for the type of business you intend to operate. Contact Planning Department staff for assistance or review Zoning Bylaw No 7600-2019.
Building Occupancy/Use - It is recommended that you confirm the Unit/Building is constructed to meet the requirements of the business you plan to operate. The Unit/Building will need to meet BC Building Code for your intended use. If you wish to inquire if there are any open permits on the Unit/Building or if you need advice on permits you may require, please contact Building Department staff. Find more information about building permit application submissions on our website at Building Permit information Building Permits & Inspections | Maple Ridge, BC
To confirm if further documentation and/or certification is required to operate your business, please contact buslic@mapleridge.ca
Complete the Business Licence Application Form or Rental Property Business Licence Application and submit by one of the following options along with any supporting documentation:
- in person at Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department front counter
- by email to buslic@mapleridge.ca
- by mail to City of Maple Ridge 11900 Haney Place, Maple Ridge BC V2X 6A9
Examples of supporting information which may be applicable to some Applications: Trade Accreditation, Professional Certification, Non-Profit Society Certification, Criminal Record Checks, Vehicle Sales Licences, Provincial Licences etc.
In Person: If you are submitting an Application in person you will be required to make payment of the Licence Fee using cash, debit, VISA, Mastercard or American Express at the time of Application submission.
On-line: If you submit online to buslic@mapleridge.ca you will receive an e-mail with guidance on how to make a payment for the Licence Fee via our eServices page.
NOTE: Your application will not progress until payment is received.
City staff reviews your application for the following:
- Zoning Approval: This is to assess compliance with the Zoning Bylaw
- Documentation Review: This is to assess compliance with the Business Licensing & Regulation Bylaw, along with any other Municipal Bylaws or regulations that may apply.
Your application is assessed for any necessary inspections which may include some or all of the following:
- Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Gas Approval
- Fire Approval from the Maple Ridge Fire Department
- Health Approval from Fraser Health Environmental Health Officer
- Health Approval from Childcare Licensing Officer
- Bylaw Compliance Officer Approval
Business Licence staff will provide guidance on scheduling of any required Inspections.
You will be required to provide a copy of any Third-Party Licences/Certification prior to issuance of the Business Licence. Examples: Childcare Licensing, Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch Licences.
Once all assessments and inspections are completed and approved, a Business Licence will be issued.
Your Business Licence is valid until December 31 of the current year.
You do not need to submit a new application to renew your Business Licence, an Invoice will be mailed to you prior to the end of the year.
Once your Business Licence account is established, if you wish to sign up to receive your renewal invoices via e-mail, this can be selected at MyCity Login
Online Fillable Application
Other Forms & Guides
Business Licence Name Change Form
Child Care Facility Change Request Form
Commercial Business Licence Application Guide
General Business Licence Guide
Good Neighbour Agreement - SAMPLE
In Home Personal Services & Spa Services Guide
Completed forms can be emailed to buslic@mapleridge.ca
For direct assistance and guidance through the licensing and potential permitting process you may contact our Business Licence Coordinator at 604-467-7378 or via email at BusLic@MapleRidge.ca
Business Licence Directory: A directory of current home based and commercial business licences (only businesses who have agreed to participating in the directory are listed).
Business Licence Directory Outline: A categorized listing of all current home based, commercial and daycare business licences issued.
Business Finder is an online mapping service, designed to visually display business licence information. Features such as filtering by business licence number, business type and keyword are available, as well as many options to export and copy the data.
Contact business licence staff by email at BusLic@MapleRidge.ca
Are you looking to build a business in the City of Maple Ridge? You may find that the most difficult part of starting a business is the initial setup and paperwork. The City, through BizPaL, is providing prospective business owners with easy, one-stop access to related business information.
BizPaL is an innovative online service that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to information about business permits, licences and other requirements needed to start, operate and grow your business from the federal, provincial/territorial and participating municipal governments.
Benefits of BizPaL
Finding out which government requirements apply to a certain business type can be time consuming and frustrating. BizPaL was created to help identify what you may require, quickly and easily. The information you need is available from a single source; entrepreneurs spend less time dealing with red tape – saving effort and money in the process – and more time building their business. The service is the result of combined efforts by the federal, provincial/territorial and participating municipal governments and is designed with the following benefits in mind:
- It's free to use
- It saves time
- It's available 24/7
Business Licences FAQs
All businesses in the City of Maple Ridge require a business licence. Some of the benefits to obtaining a business licence include:
- Makes your business a legal operation in terms of the City of Maple Ridge's Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw
- Lists the business in the Maple Ridge Business Directory (home-based, commercial and daycare business licences only)
- Enables the City to regulate the types and locations of businesses conducted within its jurisdiction
- Supports the development of promotional materials aimed at attracting business investment and job creation
- Assists with the development of demographic and statistical information on the local business climate
Business licence application forms can be obtained by mail, fax, online or at the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department Applicants are required to complete the application in full and provide a minimum payment of $110. We have a guide to assist you with applying for a business licence.
There are four different types of business licences listed below. Additional information on each type can be found on our Business Licence Types page.
- Commercial Business Licence refers to a business operated from a storefront, retail, commercial, industrial, etc. location in Maple Ridge
- Daycare Business Licence refers to a business operated either from a commercial location or a business operated out of the home located in Maple Ridge
- Home Based Business Licence refers to a business operated (including office use only) from a residence located in Maple Ridge
- Non Resident Business Licence refers to a business located outside of Maple Ridge where the business person is physically coming into Maple Ridge to conduct business or to call on clients
Business licences are not transferable. Any person who acquires a business or a controlling interest in any business from any person licensed under the Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw shall make application for a new business licence. It is the responsibility of the previous owner to close his / her account with the City of Maple Ridge by completing a Business Closure Form.
If you are moving your business to another location in the City of Maple Ridge, a new Business Licence Application must be completed and submitted to the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department. If the applicant holds a current business licence and is a home based daycare or commercial business, a transfer fee of $50 must accompany the new application. If the applicant does not have a current City of Maple Ridge Business Licence the minimum licence fee of $110.00 must accompany the application. Applications can also be found online or at the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department front counter.
If you are changing the name of your business, please complete the Business Licence Name Change Form and submit to the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department.
The City's Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw 6815-2011 states that "no person shall operate or carry on a business within the municipality without holding a current licence." This includes any activity or undertaking where you provide professional, personal, or other services for the purpose of gain or profit. All work done offsite and delivered to Maple Ridge, does not require a licence (e.g. Home Depot delivery).
Application forms are available online, in person at our Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department, by email, fax, or regular mail. To receive an application by email please send us an email letting us know that you would like an application. To receive an application by fax or regular mail please call our Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department at 604-467-7440.
The minimum fee is $110 per year. Some businesses pay more; for example, on the basis of square meters of the business premises, the number of chairs in a restaurant, or the number of professionals operating at the location. Fees are charged on an annual basis and are not refundable once a business licence has been approved and issued, or if inspections have occurred. For more information on business licence fees, please review Schedule A of our Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw.
Business licences are valid for one calendar year (January 1 to December 31).
It really depends what type of application you have submitted (e.g. home based, daycare, commercial or non resident). A non resident business licence may be issued on the spot. However a home based business licence or commercial licence may take up to 10 business days or more to issue. Home based businesses and commercial businesses are subject to inspections prior to issuance. If you want to know the status of your business licence application, please contact our Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department staff at 604-467-7440 or 604-467-7305. Review our Business Licence Application Guide for more information on our processes for issuing a business licence.
Our Zoning Bylaw restricts the type of business activities that are allowed to operate in residential neighborhoods. Depending on the zone, certain types of businesses may operate from home with some restrictions. You can check our Zoning Bylaw or contact our Planning Department at 604-467-7341 to see what types of businesses are allowed to operate in your zone. To minimize disturbances to surrounding properties, our Zoning Bylaw limits the amount of space in a residence that can be used for business purposes and regulates parking and storage of goods and materials. Retail stores are specifically excluded as a home based business.