Land development is guided by the City’s bylaws and policies and subject to approval processes that may involve external agencies. Land development is often complex and requires the coordination of plans and reports from a number of technical professions.
Development Considerations
When developing a property, it is important to review the bylaws, regulations, and policies that oversee the development of land in Maple Ridge. Site conditions and constraints may have implications for development and a number development applications may be required to allow your proposed development.
The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a provincial zone in which agriculture is recognized as the priority use. Farming is encouraged and non-agricultural uses are restricted.
View an interactive map of the ALR through our Open Data Portal.
The City of Maple Ridge recognizes the importance of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and the purpose of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), which is to preserve agricultural land, encourage farming in collaboration with other communities of interest, and to encourage local governments, First Nations, the government and its agents to enable and accommodate farm use of agricultural land and uses compatible with agriculture in their plans, bylaws and policies.
Land designated as Agricultural in the Official Community Plan can support agricultural uses, as outlined in the City’s Zoning Bylaw. If your property is within the Agricultural Land Reserve, the Agricultural Land Commission requirements apply.
The City’s Farm Home Plate regulations apply to agricultural lands, which means that all residential uses need to be sited within 60 metres of the Front Lot Line. You can find more information here: Farm Home Plate Guide.
The City’s Sewer Area – Extension Into the Agricultural Land Reserve Policy (No. 9.02) establishes the criteria with respect to sewer extension into the Agricultural Land Reserve.
The City’s Agricultural Land Reserve Exclusion Application Process Policy (No. 6.36) establishes a process for accepting, reviewing, and processing applications for ALR exclusions, in which a property owner requests the City of Maple Ridge apply on their behalf and pays all applicable costs to have their property excluded from the ALR.
Maple Ridge Design and Construction Documents work in conjunction with Master Municipal Construction Documents (MMCD). Learn more about the various documents on our Design and Construction Documents page.
A Development Permit is a practical approach for directing development in a manner consistent with community values. In accordance with the Local Government Act, the Maple Ridge Official Community Plan has designated Development Permit Areas to establish guidelines for the form and character of certain developments and for the protection of the natural environment.
A Development Variance Permit may be issued by Council in order to provide a variance from the requirements of a land use bylaw. The provisions of the Zoning Bylaw, the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw and the Sign Bylaw may be varied if Council considers the variance appropriate. proposed variance is mailed to the properties that are adjacent to the development site.
Please see the City’s Guide to Development Permits and Development Variance Permits for more information.
The Engineering Infrastructure Development Group administers works and services necessary to support land development in Maple Ridge. Learn more about the land development services staff provide on the Engineering page.
The City has various permits and regulations in place to help protect the environment from development impacts. Learn more on our Environment page.
Depending on the type of development, a Highway Use Permit may be required. To learn more and complete a permit application, visit the Highway Use Permit page.
The Zoning Bylaw contains regulations related to the use and development of land, including allowable density; parameters for the siting, size and height of buildings; and other specific requirements. All properties have a zoning designation that outlines the regulations for that zone. If a proposal involves changing the permitted uses or exceeding the maximum density for a development site, a rezoning application is required.
Any zoning bylaw adopted by Council must be consistent with the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP) and the Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy (RGS), or further amendments may be required.
Please review the City’s Guide to Rezoning for more information.
In accordance with the Strata Property Act, land may be subdivided into two or more strata lots by the deposit of a Strata Plan at the Land Title Office. In the case of a strata lot, owners have a right to common property with separate ownership of individual units. Typical examples of strata title developments include a duplex, a townhouse, or an apartment building. Commercial, industrial, and other types of buildings may also be a subdivided into strata lots.
The four most common types of Strata Title applications include:
- New Strata
- Strata Title Conversion
- New Phased Strata
- Bare Land Strata
Please see the City’s Guide to Strata Title Applications for more information.
A subdivision may include the following:
- The division of land into two or more fee simple properties and strata lots;
- The adjustment or realignment of an existing property line;
- The consolidation of two or more properties into one property.
In accordance with the Land Title Act, the Strata Property Act, the Local Government Act and various City bylaws, such as the Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw, a subdivision requires the approval of the Council appointed Approving Officer.
Please see the City’s Guide to Subdivision for more information.
The Fraser River Escarpment is 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. Learn more on our Fraser River Escarpment page.
Record drawings are used to aid in the design and construction of future infrastructure and serve as a tool for the ongoing operation and maintenance of existing systems.