Legislation introduced by the Provincial Government and effective as of November 30, 2023, aims to strengthen the housing supply throughout British Columbia. These changes cover regulations concerning Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing within single-family and duplex zoned lots, Transit-Oriented Areas, Development Financing Tools.
These changes require adjustments to Maple Ridge's municipal regulations to align with the provincial mandates.
What It Means for Maple Ridge
The new legislation is part of the Province's Homes for People Housing Action Plan and is intended to bring more homes to market faster by allowing an increase in the number and diversity of homes that can be built in single-family neighbourhoods and near transit corridors.
It proposes significant changes in how Maple Ridge and all other municipalities across British Columbia approach planning, evaluation, and approval of development and growth within the community.
Key Changes
To meet the new provincial legislation requirements, the City’s updated bylaws will include changes to permitted density, maximum height, minimum setbacks, parking requirements, lot coverage, and other land use controls. Changes include:
- allowing up to three, four or six units of small-scale, multi-unit housing (SSMUH) on single-family and duplex lots (e.g., secondary suites, detached garden suites, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes)
- creating designated areas around key transit centres to become mixed-use, complete communities
- no longer allowing public hearings for residential projects that align with the Official Community Plan and did not receive first reading prior to November 30, 2023
Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH)
The City of Maple Ridge has updated the bylaws for eligible single-family and duplex lots to allow for increased density and new housing types. The changes include:
- Density: More units can now be built on a single property
- Building height: Adjusted limits on how tall buildings can be
- Setbacks: Changes to the distance buildings must be from property lines
- Parking: New parking requirements
- Lot Coverage: Adjusted rules on the amount of buildable space on a lot
Eligible single-family and duplex lots can now have up to three, four, or six units of
small-scale, multi-unit housing (SSMUH), provided they meet all zoning, bylaw, and
building code requirements.
Learn more on our Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing page.
Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA)
A Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) is a designated area within a prescribed distance around a transit centre. Development of these areas is intended to provide a diversity of housing options, access to a variety of amenities, and enable greater mobility options.
In Maple Ridge, the Province has identified three TOAs:
- Port Haney Station
- Maple Meadows Station
- Haney Place Transit Exchange
The City is required to designate an area around these stations where zoning bylaws, parking regulations, and minimum height and density requirements will be updated. A 400-meter radius around Port Haney Station has already been designated a TOA, while Maple Meadows and Haney Place will be designated in June 2024.
Public Hearings
Under the new provincial legislation, public hearings will no longer be held for rezoning of residential developments that align with the Official Community Plan. As public hearings become less frequent, the City is reviewing other options to obtain community input and strengthen the public feedback process.
Housing Needs Report
The new legislation also requires the City to provide a 20-year Housing Needs Report that supports the growth of the community that was endorsed by Council by December 31, 2024. The Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw will then be updated by December 31, 2025 to reflect the City’s projected housing needs.
Timeline
Local governments (including the City of Maple Ridge) have a series of upcoming deadlines over the next two years to update existing regulations to align with these new provincial requirements.
- January 1, 2025: Interim Housing Needs Report to be adopted
- December 31, 2025: First review and update of Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to align with interim Housing Needs Report
The City will continue to provide updates on these initiatives and changes.
Commitment to Providing Affordable Housing
Other initiatives the City is working on to help address housing needs in our community include:
- implementing a program to redesign internal processes to be more efficient and to ensure that the City is doing its part to expedite housing approvals
- completing a housing needs assessment and updating the City’s Housing Needs Report
- continuing progress on the City’s new Housing Strategy
- the "Maple Ridge Moves" transportation plan to expand our road infrastructure and make room for more public transit and build a strong economy
Contact
If you have questions regarding the changes the City is making to meet the requirements of the provincial housing legislation, please contact the Planning department at Planning@MapleRidge.ca or 604-467-7341.
Resources
The Province has provided resources to support municipalities in navigating these legislative changes.
Information Sheet: Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing
Housing - StrongerBC (gov.bc.ca)
Local government housing initiatives - Province of British Columbia
More small-scale, multi-unit homes coming to B.C., zoning barriers removed | BC Gov News
Legislation introduced to deliver more homes near transit hubs | BC Gov News
Legislation introduced to streamline delivery of homes, services, infrastructure | BC Gov News