Maple Ridge, B.C. — Dec. 4, 2025 — The City of Maple Ridge has adopted targeted updates to its Official Community Plan (OCP) and area plans to support its continued focus on increasing the supply of affordable housing and to meet provincial legislative requirements that were introduced in 2024.
Having met the provincial deadline of December 31, 2025, to align local government land use policies with the new housing legislation, the City is renewing its call for provincial investment into critical infrastructure that is essential for community building.
Council completed the last of a series of updates this fall to the OCP and area plans for the key growth areas of the Town Centre, Hammond, Silver Valley, and Albion. The coordinated updates, required to meet provincial housing requirements, will help advance the City’s efforts to expand housing diversity and supply—including advancing municipal capital projects and advocating for critical provincial and federal infrastructure investments.
Maple Ridge is growing at twice the national average. Based on the City’s interim Housing Needs Report, the City will need 27,778 new homes by 2041.
“With these bylaw updates, we’re building our toolkit to deliver the mix of housing our community needs to thrive, along with the elements that support a high quality of life, such as green space, amenities, and the community character that makes Maple Ridge special,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “This plan will succeed only through strong partnership and funding support from senior governments for schools, health care, and transportation, including Maple Ridge Moves priorities such as Abernethy Way, a new 240 Street bridge, and Bus Rapid Transit. Staff and Council have been actively advocating for these investments, and we’ll continue to be a strong voice on behalf of our residents and community.”
Housing Policy Toolkit: A Strategic Approach
The work is based on the requirements set out by the Province, the City’s interim Housing Needs Report , and incorporating those into the City’s key land use planning documents: the OCP, area plans, and the Zoning Bylaw. With the recent updates, the OCP and area plans now reflect the type, location, and amount of residential development required to meet future needs and include new provisions for small-scale multi-unit housing (3 to 6 units on single-detached lots) and increased density around transit hubs. The Zoning Bylaw was previously updated to accommodate the City’s identified long-term housing needs.
A more comprehensive OCP review and update, including broad community engagement, is planned to take place following the release of the 2026 Census data and the completion of a new Housing Needs Report in 2028.
Highlights of OCP and Area Plan Updates
- OCP Updates:
- Brings OCP policies into line with provincial requirements and integrates the findings from the City’s Housing Needs Report.
- Adds direction on affordable housing, rentals, tenant protection, adaptable housing and family-sized units.
- Confirms the City has enough land use capacity to meet its 20-year housing needs.
- Town Centre Area Plan: Expands the plan boundary to include River Bend, consolidates 11 land use designations to seven for clarity and ease of implementation, and adds a Town Centre Core designation to support higher densities in a vibrant, walkable downtown anchored by the Haney Transit Exchange and Port Haney West Coast Express Station.
- Hammond Area Plan: Focuses growth near Maple Meadows Station and introduces Maple Meadows Residential and Maple Meadows Mixed-Use designations with increased density near transit as required by provincial legislation, while supporting thoughtful development protecting employment lands.
- Silver Valley Area Plan: Modernizes the 2002 plan, consolidates land use designations, adds a zoning matrix for clarity, incorporates additional density as required by provincial legislation, and introduces the River Village Mixed-Use designation to encourage the development of a complete community.
- Albion Area Plan: Incorporates feedback from regional partners and strengthens walking/cycling connections, supports local commercial nodes, and creates buffers where urban development meets farmland.
The OCP updates were informed by public engagement earlier this year on the provincially-mandated housing policy changes, along with input received through open houses and public hearings.
Local Capital Investments
The City’s work to increase housing and improve quality of life is also supported by Capital Plan investments in water, sewer and drainage, transportation, technology, parks, and other infrastructure improvements.
Next Steps
City staff and Council continue to advocate for critical investments from senior governments for the infrastructure and services needed to support new housing, including transit, roads, schools, health care, and community amenities in Maple Ridge.
The City has also begun planning for a full review of the OCP leading up to 2030, based on updated data, background studies that will begin in 2026, and planned extensive public engagement with all residents and interest holders.
Learn More
Visit MapleRidge.ca/OCPAreaPlans to review the related Council reports and area maps. Questions can be directed to Planning@MapleRidge.ca or 604-467-7341.
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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