By enforcing our bylaws, the City preserves the order and way of life that many Maple Ridge residents have become accustomed to.
The Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department investigates and responds to complaints received about bylaw violations in the City of Maple Ridge. Bylaw enforcement generally refers to a host of actions directed at obtaining compliance with local government bylaws, including:
- educating the public about regulatory rules
- conducting inspections to ensure that the rules are being followed
- leveraging voluntary compliance with the rules where possible
- seeking consequences for contraventions where compliance is not forthcoming or harm has been done to the community
Anonymous complaints are not accepted and will not be actioned. There is a limit of three (3) non-recurring complaints per complainant property, per calendar year.
Animal Control & Licensing Services
The City’s Animal Control and Licensing services are provided by the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety department and are dedicated to maintaining community safety and ensuring the welfare of animals. We offer a wide range of services including dog licensing, managing dogs at large, investigating dog bites and attacks, and referring cases of animal cruelty to the BC SPCA's Provincial Cruelty section. These efforts are designed to promote responsible pet ownership and address issues affecting both residents and animals.
- For more information about licensing your dog, visit the Animal Control section of our website.
- For concerns regarding animals running at large, dog attacks including bites, unlicensed dogs, barking dogs, dead animals on roadway or for assistance with any stray animals, contact the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety department at 604-467-7305 or online at mapleridge.ca/report.
- To report dead animals on public roads please contact our Operations division at 604-463-9581 or by email at OperationsCentre@MapleRidge.ca
- To report animal cruelty and animal welfare issues, contact the BC SPCA’s Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722.
The Maple Ridge SPCA Shelter is located at 10235 Jackson Road. The Maple Ridge SPCA Shelter provides compassionate, professional animal care for our community, working in partnership with the City’s Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety team. The Shelter accepts lost and stray animals, cares for those impounded under municipal bylaws, and reunites pets with their guardians through licensing, microchip and ID checks. Animals not claimed receive health assessments, vaccinations and behaviour support prior to adoption, with foster and volunteer programs helping each pet transition successfully to a new home. The Shelter also offers humane education, pet-care resources and referrals, and supports emergency animal services during local incidents. By promoting responsible pet ownership and enforcing applicable bylaws, the Maple Ridge SPCA Shelter helps keep animals, families and neighbourhoods safe and well.
MR SPCA Shelter hours of operation:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Adoptions: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
- Closed Statutory Holidays
Discover more about the Maple Ridge SPCA Shelter by visiting their website.
How to File a Bylaw Complaint
You may submit a complaint online, over the phone at 604-467-7305, by email at bylaws@mapleridge.ca by regular mail or in person at the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety department at the City. When submitting a complaint, you must provide your full name, home address, telephone number along with specific details about the complaint. This information is strictly confidential and will not be released to anyone without the complainant's consent, or if required in a court of law through due process. In these cases we will contact the complainant prior to releasing any information, at which time they have the option of withdrawing your complaint.
Required Information
When submitting a bylaw complaint, be prepared to provide as many details as possible including:
- your full name
- your home address
- your phone number
- address of property involved
- detailed description of violation
- description of motor vehicle with licence plate (if applicable)
- date(s) when violation observed
Anonymous complaints are not accepted and will not be actioned. There is a limit of three (3) non-recurring complaints per complainant property, per calendar year.
All information gathered for Bylaw, Licensing & Community Service complaints is managed in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Complaint Responses
Bylaw Compliance Officers will investigate your complaint as soon as possible. You are encouraged to keep your complaint file up to date and to keep the Bylaw Compliance Officer apprised of the status of your complaint, if the situation improves, worsens or stays the same.
If there is a contravention of City bylaws, Bylaw Compliance Officers will work with the person responsible to voluntarily remedy the situation. The City appreciates your patience in bylaw enforcement matters.
In relation to certain hazardous situations or declared nuisances, City Council may order a person to rectify the situation or take action to eliminate the hazard or damage and require the person to pay the costs incurred to do so. Where compliance with a bylaw is a condition of a licence or permit, Bylaw Compliance Officers may find it necessary to suspend the licence or permit until the person, or persons, comply.
The City appreciates your patience in bylaw enforcement matters.
Bylaw Violations
Some of the more common bylaw violations are listed below.
