Help Keep Maple Ridge’s Boulevards Clean and Safe

Maple Ridge, BC, May 14, 2025—As summer gardening season approaches, the City of Maple Ridge reminds residents and businesses that maintaining boulevards is a shared responsibility that helps keep the community clean, safe, and accessible. 

Boulevards are public property but must be maintained by the adjacent property owner. A boulevard is the strip of land between the edge of the road and property lines. This includes areas beside, in front of, or behind a property, including the space between the sidewalk and curb. 

Property owners and residents are encouraged to beautify their boulevard with grass, but they are prohibited from doing anything that obstructs access or creates a safety hazard. It’s important to know where your property ends and the public boulevard begins. 

What Residents Are Responsible For 

Under the City’s Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw, property owners, tenants and occupants must: 

• Keep grass trimmed below 30 cm and free of noxious weeds 
• Remove garbage, debris, and anything that blocks drainage 
• Ensure hedges and plants on private property do not block sidewalks, streets, or visibility 

What’s Not Allowed 

To protect public safety and access, the following are not permitted on boulevards: 

• Planting or removing trees or shrubs (only grass is allowed) 
• Building fences, walls, rockeries, or parking pads 
• Installing signage or dumping yard waste, vegetation, or debris 

Why the City Regulates Boulevards 

Boulevards often contain underground and above-ground public infrastructure such as water lines, drainage systems, streetlights, sidewalks and signage. Keeping boulevards clear ensures safe pedestrian access, garbage collection, traffic visibility, and uninterrupted utility maintenance. 

What the City Maintains 

The City is responsible for: 

• Planting and maintaining City-owned street trees 
• Maintaining sidewalks, curbs, signage, and underground services 
• Maintaining bioswales and rain gardens in designated areas 

Planning Work on a Boulevard? 

A Highway Use Permit may be required to access or work on a boulevard, including construction or landscaping near City property. Use the City’s Ridgeview mapping system for approximate property boundaries or consult a land surveyor for confirmation. 

Concerns about boulevard conditions or unsightly properties can be reported at MapleRidge.ca/Report.

 For more information, visit MapleRidge.ca/BoulevardMaintenance or contact the City’s Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department at Bylaws@MapleRidge.ca.