Home Improvements

Before planning your addition, renovation and/or repair, confirm your property's zoning using the Ridgeview Mapping Application.

This ensures your project is permitted by the Zoning Bylaw, and identifies requirements like setbacks, height limits, and/or environmental conditions, etc. If the use or density isn’t allowed under the property's current zoning, a rezoning application may be required before a Building Permit can be issued. Each zone has a corresponding section in the Zoning Bylaw, refer to those regulations for detailed information pertaining to each zone.

Once you've confirmed that the project is permitted by the property's zoning, or you have completed the necessary rezoning process, you can move onto Step Two.

If additional information is needed or you have questions, contact Planning@MapleRidge.ca.

Different improvements have different requirements; see Specific Improvement Project Types below for the requirements for each permit. 

There are special circumstances that may require additional review or approval. The following should be considered when applying for a Home Improvement Permit.

Agricultural Land Reserve Properties

If your project is on Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land:

• You may require pre‑approval from the Agricultural Land Commission before applying for a Building Permit. Contact the City’s Planning and Building department at 604-467-7341 or planning@mapleridge.ca for information on this process and the criteria.
• All residential buildings are subject to the Farm Home Plate regulations listed in Section 402.12 of the Zoning Bylaw, the applicable zoning regulations listed in the corresponding zone in the Zoning Bylaw (e.g., RS-1) and applicable Agricultural Land Commission Policies

Covenants, Easements or Rights-of-Way

Covenants, easements, or rights-of-way may be registered on the property and could limit the use of the property or developable area of the property. This can be determined with a property title search, a copy of which can be obtained through the Land Titles and Survey Authority of British Columbia.

Floodplain Requirements

If the property is located in a designated floodplain, additional engineering maybe required to resist flooding, potential uplift and the impact of surface water flows on adjacent properties.

For properties located within the Lower Hammond Area, the Lower Hammond Area Information Brochure provides more specific information regarding the area and its Covenant.

For lots located in a floodplain, a restrictive covenant must be registered or updated to reflect the restrictions involved with construction. If a covenant is already registered on title, it may need to be revised to reflect current Flood Construction Level (FCL). To determine the FCL an engineer will need to be contracted to provide this value under a sealed APEGBC Appendix 'J' form (Flood Hazard Assessment). Contact the City’s Planning and Building department at 604-467-467-7311 or buildinginquiries@mapleridge.ca to confirm if your property is in a floodplain.

Note: The Restrictive Covenant(s) is registered against the title of the property, not the owner, and will remain on title until such time as the covenant is removed. The Restrictive Covenant(s) must be registered with the Land Title Office. Contact the City’s Planning and Building department at 604-467-467-7311 or buildinginquiries@mapleridge.ca to obtain a sample covenant that may be taken to a lawyer or notary for execution.

Fraser River Escarpment

Properties located within the Fraser River Escarpment, an area of geotechnical complexity adjacent to the north bank of the Fraser River from 207 Street to 224 Street with an area of influence extending as far north as 124 Avenue, must comply with current Fraser River Escarpment policies.  If the property is within the Fraser River Escarpment Area, the development is required to have a storm sewer connection for any addition of hard ground surfaces on the property.

If additional information is needed or you have questions, contact BuildingInquiries@MapleRidge.ca.

An addition, renovation and/or repair may need additional approvals if they involve any of the following, including but not limited to:

• Changing the use of the building
• Altering density or adding new units
• Exterior façade or signage changes
• Development Permits or Variance Permit applications

If additional information is needed or you have questions, contact Planning@MapleRidge.ca.

A Pre-Application Review (PAR) is not required for most standard interior home renovations. A PAR becomes necessary when a renovation triggers a formal development approvals process including the following, but not limited to: 

• Alterations that impact zoning (changing the use of the property)
• Changes the development density by adding additional living spaces
• Exterior or structural changes that would require the proposal to go through the City's development application process. It helps to identify potential issues and required upgrades before submitting a full application

Gather all required drawings and documents ensuring they are clear and complete at the time of submission, as this ensures City staff can fully evaluate your project and help prevent delays in the review process.

Review the applicable guides and checklists prior to applying for a Building Permit to help you plan your project and identify requirements.

Drawing Preparation Tips

• Use a consistent Scale 1/4" = 1'-0" or 1/8" = 1'-0"
• Clearly label all rooms and spaces
• Include north arrow, dimensions, legend
• Keep drawings clean, legible, and uncluttered

Ensure Documents Meet the City's Standards

Site Plan:

• Drawings scaled accurately
• North arrow, street name, street address shown
• All setbacks shown
• Basement, all floors including garage, u/s Truss and Ridge geodetic elevations
• Minimum basement elevation (including lots on septic service)
• Front and rear Datum determination Geodetic elevation
• Natural and finished geodetic grades around the building
• Retaining walls including location, top and bottom elevations, and wall length
• Retaining wall drainage (required for all walls)
• Driveway width and % slope, parking locations, access to entrance and rear yard
• Streams, trees and water wells to be shown and labelled
• Septic disposal field location to be shown and labelled
• Stairs, decks, window wells, projections
• Zoning summary including all floor areas, permeable area and lot coverage calculations
• Infiltration system/rock pits, ROWs and covenant boundaries
• Specify that the sprinkler system conforms to NFPA 13D
• On-site stormwater management system

Elevations:

• Natural and finished geodetic grades
• Building grade line, Datum Determination Points
• Basement, all floors including garage, u/s Truss and Ridge geodetic elevations
• Dimension of raised heel trusses
• Maximum building height line shown
• Highest building face line shown
• Spatial separation calculation shown
• Window and door sizes
• Fire rated assembly locations
• Exterior cladding type (and any Wildfire Development Permit WDP requirements)

Floor Plans:

• Structural framing indicated
• Foundations layout
• Unfinished basement dotted outline only for future layout
• Section line shown
• Room use and dimensions
• Clear height under beams shown
• Dimensions of doors, windows and stairs
• Label guard and handrail heights and locations
• Label the source of heating for main dwelling and secondary suite (if applicable)
• Fire separation detail (if applicable)
• Location and interconnection of radon system as per the BC Building Code (BCBC) 2024
• Indicate the living space(s) capable of maintaining a maximum indoor temperature of 26°C
• Locations of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fans, attic and crawl space access hatch
• Solar conduit location (on all floors)
• EV Charger hookup location
• Solar panel location (South or West roof plan only)

Section:

• Full cross sections
• Basement, all floors including garage, u/s Truss and Ridge geodetic elevations
• Rooms labelled
• Cross section through stairs showing headroom clearance and clear height under beams
• Floor-to-ceiling height of all floor areas including crawl space and roof space
• Stair detail including rise, run, tread depth/width, guards and handrails
• Building envelope details including rainscreen details
• Wall details besides unconditioned space
• Footing detail meeting frost depth and drain tile specifications
• Any roof deck above conditioned space must indicate framing, ventilation and insulation requirements
• Vertical radon stack
• Party wall detail (if applicable)

Apply Now

Steps for Online Submission

1. Create an account on, or visit the Online Portal
2. Click on the "+Add New Permit" button to start a new application
3. Follow the guided, step‑by‑step application process
4. Upload drawings, forms, and any required supporting documentation
5. Complete the consent form and click "Submit" to complete your application
6. Once submitted, you can track the real‑time status of your application as it moves through the permit process
7. Receive online notifications and updates from staff (upload revised documents as needed/directed)
8. Multiple City departments (Building, Planning, Engineering, Environment etc.) review submissions concurrently, which accelerates approval timelines
9. Pay application fees set out in the Fees & Charges Bylaw
   • Fee payment options are provided within the portal
   • The permit fee doubles if work has started without a Building Permit being issued
   • The Planning, Engineering or Public Works may require additional fees and securities, due before the Building Permit is issued

There is a two step process which will be completed by the Building department's Plan Review Team. 

The Plan Review Pre-Check will be completed upon submission of the minimum submission requirements. A plan reviewer will complete a high-level review of the proposal and advise the applicant of any additional requirements which will be required for a Building Permit application. A complete plan review is not completed during this stage.

Once the Building Permit application is submitted, a complete inter-departmental review will be completed.

You may review the progress of your permits at any time by viewing our Building Permit Inquiry system. Once compliance with city bylaws and other applicable legislation has been demonstrated, and all associated approvals have been obtained, notification will be sent to the Applicant that the Permit is ready to be issued. Any outstanding fees are due at time of permit pickup. 

The permit timeline varies based on the factors below, but not limited to:

• Volume of applications
• Complexity of the project
• Completeness of the application, including compliance with the applicable Zoning Bylaws and other applicable bylaws 

A Permit Card will be issued. The card must be posted in a location that is visible and readable from the street and protected from weather. It must be posted prior to commencing construction and is to remain posted until such a time as all permits issued have received final inspection.

• Login to the Citizen Portal
• Go to "My Issued Permits"
• Select the permit you wish to revise and click "Revise"
• Complete the revision questionnaire and provide a detailed description of the changes you’re requesting. 
• Upload updated drawings or documents to support the revision. Ensure that the revisions are clearly marked.
• Complete the Consent Form as part of your submission.
• Pay the applicable revision fees as set out in the Fees & Charges Bylaw

• Once submitted, the request will be reviewed by the City
• Track the status of your revision in the Citizen Portal under "Permit Details", where you can also find your assigned plan reviewer’s contact information
• Additional requirements may be requested during the review process. If so, the additional documentation must be submitted through the Citizen Portal

• When revision permit is approved, applicant will receive an email notification with instructions to download an updated permit package
• Revisions fees are charged per hour of plan review. If additional fees are applied to the revised application, this must be paid prior to receiving the updated permit package

If the original Permit application was submitted as a paper application, any revisions should also be requested using the paper application process. Drop off the permit application package at the Building department front counter.

Include the following with submission of a Revision Application for Building Permits:

• Two hard copies of updated drawing sheets (signed and sealed if applicable), with all revisions clearly marked including supporting documentation (if applicable)
• Supporting documentation (if applicable)

A Plan Reviewer will review the revisions and contact the Applicant with the next steps. Inspections cannot be booked until the revision application has been issued.

Review progress of the application through the Building Permit Inquiry System.

Notes

1. Only the authorized applicant may submit a revision application
2. Significant changes may require a new Building Permit application instead of a revision application. This will be at the discretion of the assigned Plan Reviewer
3. Revision applications must be submitted and approved by the City prior to construction of the proposed work on site. This ensures compliance and timely processing to avoid delays during the construction process

For additional information, contact the Planning and Building department at BuildingInquiries@MapleRidge.ca.

Permit Applications
Email: PermitApplications@MapleRidge.ca

Inspection Requests
See the Inspections & Results page for options.