Environment Permits & Requirements

A development permit (DP) is required for any clearing, building, or development related activity where properties are:

• Within 50 metres of a watercourse or wetland area
• On slopes greater than 15%
• Located within a floodplain
• Within 50 metres of an area designated as conservation on the Official Community Plan "Schedule C Natural Features Map"
• Within a wildfire interface DP area

Maple Ridge Watercourse Protection Bylaw No. 6410-2006 includes proactive site source measures for dealing with erosion and sediment control, rainwater management and stormwater management that are in compliance with current Federal, Provincial and Regional standards.

A WPDP application is required for any new development within 50 m of a water feature, including streams, wetlands, ponds, or ditches. The environmental professional of record (QEP) will need to refer to the WPDP checklist early-on in the development process to assist with protection and management of environmentally sensitive aquatic areas. 

The SPR provide a methodology for establishing appropriate protection setbacks around water features. The City of Maple Ridge SPR review process is outlined in the following PowerPoint presentation. The Guide to the Streamside Protection Regulation provides the definitions and methodology associated with the SPR process.

In March 2005 Council supported staff recommendations that the municipality continue to use of the Streamside Setback Classification Map as a basis for the protection of riparian areas adjacent to watercourses, and that the municipality advise the Province that the Maple Ridge would not apply the Riparian Area Regulation. 

With land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), a soil deposit permit is required for any importation of soils. The soils must be of agricultural quality and/or for agricultural use. Roads for farm use are a permitted farm use and do not require a soil deposit permit from the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), but the City must be notified. Permit applications are administered through the City of Maple Ridge.

With land outside the ALR, a soil deposit permit may be required if you are planning to import soil to your property depending on the volume of soil, the proximity to floodplains, watercourses, slopes, infrastructure or other features, and depending on the final depth of deposited material. Please contact the Planning and Building department Planning@MapleRidge.ca to inquire about permit requirements for your project or to report non-permitted dumping.

For convenience, please find below the following documents for your review:

• Soil Deposit Permit Application
• Soil Deposit Regulation Bylaw No. 7412-2017 (May 8, 2018)

• Tree Permit Application Form (Residential)
• Tree Permit Application Form (Development)

• Owner Consent Form
• Strata Consent Form
• Neighbour Consent Form

The documents below provide a quick summary guide to the City of Maple Ridge’s requirements for trees on private property. For specific bylaw language and detailed requirements please review the Tree Protection and Management bylaw.

• Bulletin - Residential Tree Cutting Permits
• Bulletin - Bird Nesting
• Bulletin - Arborist Report Requirement
• Bulletin - Tree Management Plan Requirements
• Bulletin - Tree Protection Specifications
• Bulletin - Replacement Tree Requirements 

• About the Tree Bylaw (Brochure)

Read the Full Bylaw

See All Tree Information

A Protected Tree includes: 

• Any tree with a DBH of 20 cm or greater 
• Any Significant Tree, which is a tree with a DBH of 60 cm or greater 
• Any tree located on City property 
• Any Replacement Tree 
• Any tree required through a rezoning, subdivision, development permit, development variance permit, demolition permit, or building permit 
• A tree of any size located in a Riparian Area or Conservation Area 
• A covenanted tree 
• Any tree with evidence of nesting or use by raptors, osprey, or herons 

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is measured at 1.40 metres above the highest point of the natural grade at the base of the tree.

For multi-stemmed trees, the diameter of the three largest stems are measured and added together.

tree-bulletin-residential-tree-cutting-permits

A Tree Permit is required to: 

• Cut or remove a protected tree (a tree that is greater than 20 cm diameter at the tree's breast height (DBH))
• Prune more than 25% of a tree's live crown 
• Remove any size tree in a Riparian Area or Conservation Area 
• Carry out work that would damage a protected tree contrary to the bylaw 

 See Tree Bylaw and Tree Removal for details or contact Trees@MaplerRidge.ca to confirm.

Additional restrictions and permit requirements may apply where trees are located: 

• In a Riparian Area 
• In a Conservation Area 
• Near a watercourse 
• On or near steep slopes 
• Within a covenant area 
• On sites associated with development or building activity 

A tree of any size in a Riparian Area or Conservation Area is a Protected Tree. 

To apply for a Tree Permit:  

1.  Complete the Tree Removal Permit Application Form  
2. Include all required supporting documents 
3. Include an owner consent form if the applicant is not the property owner 
4. Include a shared tree consent form if required 
5. Submit the application to the City
6. Pay the applicable fee(s) once the City sends you the invoice
7. Wait for City review and approval 
8. Do not begin work until a permit has been issued
9. Tree permits are valid for 6 months.

Only the following people can apply for a Tree Permit: 

• The property owner of the tree proposed for removal
• An authorized agent acting on behalf of the owner 

Find an arborist with valid ISA Certified Arborist credentials.  Often an online search is the easiest way to do this. 

Ensure they have a valid Business Licence for the City of Maple Ridge.

Depending on the purpose of the application, supporting documents for a Tree Permit application may include: 

• Site information 
• Tree details and photographs 
• Owner consent Form 
• Property consent Form (shared tree with a neighbor)
• Arborist Report 
• Tree Risk Assessment report
• Tree Management Plan 
• Replacement tree information/plan
• Site survey information 
• Bird nest survey 
• Development-related documents 
• Other information requested by the City 

An Arborist Report is generally required, except where only one protected tree is proposed for removal and that tree is not a Significant Tree ( DBH of 60 cm or greater ) or a Hazard Tree (assessed a qualified Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Arborist).

Arborist Reports must meet the requirements set out in the bylaw and applicable City bulletins. 

 A Tree Management Plan is required if:  

• The lot is subject to a subdivision application 
• The lot is subject to a rezoning application 
• The lot is subject to a development permit 
• The lot is subject to a development variance permit 
• The lot is subject to a building permit 
• The lot is subject to a demolition permit 
• Ten (10) or more protected trees are proposed to be removed 
• More than 500 square metres of land clearing is proposed 

A Tree Permit may be issued if one or more of the following applies: 

• The tree is a Hazard Tree, confirmed by a qualified Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Arborist
• The tree prevents development permitted under the Zoning Bylaw, and the development cannot reasonably be redesigned to retain the tree 
• The base of the tree is within 1.0 metre of the foundation wall of an existing principal dwelling 
• The tree is causing substantial structural or infrastructure damage, as verified by the City or a qualified professional acceptable to the City 
• The City has issued or approved a related development or building permit requiring removal of the tree
• Removal is required to site a principal dwelling, septic field, roadway, or utility corridor approved by the City 
• The property is in active agricultural use and the tree interferes with the best agricultural use of the land 
• The tree is significantly diseased, damaged, or dying and is likely to be dead within six (6) months, as documented in an Arborist Report 

 Before tree cutting or removal begins, the applicant must post the following on the property in a location visible to the public for at least 24 hours and until the work is complete:  

• A copy of the Tree Permit
• The location, quantity, and species of each protected tree to be cut or removed 
• Contact information for the applicant and the City

Tree permits are valid for 6 months from the date of issuance. 

Yes, depending on how long ago it expired, you may be required to re-apply or pay a permit renewal fee. Fill in and submit a new application form and our team will let you know what is required.

Yes. At least one replacement tree is generally required when a protected tree is removed. See details in the Tree Protection and Management Bylaw.

It depends on the size of the tree removed and the permit circumstances. See Tree Bylaw and Tree Removal or Replacement Tree Requirements for details. 

If on-site planting is not feasible, as determined by the Manager, the applicant may be required to pay cash-in-lieu for each required replacement tree not planted on the lot, in accordance with the  Fees and Charges Bylaw.

Security deposit collected to cover the cost and maintenance of a Replacement Tree are released as follows:

1. Release 50% after the City approves planting per Section 9 of this bylaw; and
2. Release the balance one year after the first release, if the City approves the trees condition per Section 11

In some cases, yes. See Tree Bylaw and Tree Removal for information about limited situations where a permit may not be required. Verification with the City is required prior to removal of the tree.

A request for reconsideration can be made within 30 days of the City's decision and in writing to the Director. Submit your letter to Trees@MapleRidge.ca.