Maple Ridge, B.C., November 6, 2026 – The City of Maple Ridge is inviting builders, developers, contractors, and other industry professionals to the Builders Forum on Wednesday, November 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the ACT Arts Centre.
The free event, “Building Better, Together,” will bring City teams and building industry professionals together to share opportunities, discuss challenges, and learn about recent and upcoming improvements to the building and development process in Maple Ridge. Attendees will have the chance to hear about major progress in the ongoing work to streamline permit approvals and speak directly with City staff about their projects.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with members of the building industry, hearing about their experiences, and discussing how we can work together to support responsible growth in Maple Ridge,” said Mayor Jerry Kok. “Making it easier, clearer and more predictable to build in our community is a priority for our Council and we are committed to continuing the work to improve City processes and support the delivery of businesses, homes, and community spaces.”
The forum is open to builders, developers, architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, and other professionals involved in building and development in the community and across the region. Advance registration is required. Attendees can register now via Eventbrite.
Agenda
4:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Interactive Stations – Attendees can connect directly with City staff at stations covering a range of building and development topics from planning and engineering to trades permits and inspections. These informal discussion spaces will provide a chance to ask project-related questions, clarify requirements, and share common challenges on City processes with staff.
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Staff Insights – The second part of the evening will feature remarks by Mayor Jerry Kok and presentations from staff offering practical insights on a variety of topics including the Development Services Optimization Program, the permit intake process, plan reviews, inspections, and more, helping to inform current and future building projects.
Building Efficiencies to Support Growth
Over the past two years, the City has introduced several initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and providing applicants with greater clarity and predictability throughout the permit approval process.
- Faster approvals: Process improvements have reduced average permit approval times across the board, including a 77 per cent reduction in processing time for new home construction permits. MapleRidge.ca/Build
- Online permitting: Builders and property owners can now conveniently submit and manage a growing range of building and development permit application types digitally, through the City’s online portal.
- Flexibility in permitting: Builders and developers can hire a Certified Professional to help navigate the permitting process on their behalf. MapleRidge.ca/CPP
- Ongoing industry engagement: Opportunities like the Builders Forum and Building Maple Ridge summit hosted in May 2026 give development professionals a chance to engage with the City on the evolving and improving processes.
“Taking steps to improve the City’s development approvals isn’t just about introducing new technology or changing procedures, it’s about working collaboratively with the people who use these services every day,” said James Stiver, Director of Planning and Building. “The Builders Forum gives us an opportunity to directly engage with the City’s customers to provide updates and explore ways to make our processes more effective for everyone.”
While the challenges of market conditions, construction costs, and interest rates all affect how quickly development happens, Maple Ridge continues to advance ways to create the conditions to move projects forward faster.
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Media contact:
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 C 778 955 4249 E Media@MapleRidge.ca