Maple Ridge, B.C., March 4, 2026 – The City of Maple Ridge is one of the first municipalities in the region to launch a Housing Design Catalogue, a new online resource designed to help homeowners, builders, and designers plan small-scale multi-unit housing in neighbourhoods and support increased housing supply.
Small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) is being introduced across British Columbia as required by provincial legislation and Maple Ridge is updating its policies to align while supporting neighbourhood fit and local planning goals.
The Housing Design Catalogue provides practical examples of site layouts and housing designs that show how options such as secondary suites, garden suites, duplexes, fourplexes, and multiplexes can fit on common lot types. All examples align with City zoning and policy requirements and are intended to support clearer, more informed conversations about what small-scale multi-unit housing can look like on a typical property.
“The Housing Design Catalogue is one more way we’re delivering on Maple Ridge’s broader housing strategy,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “Council is focused on getting the fundamentals right by investing in infrastructure, modernizing policies, and streamlining approvals. This catalogue reduces uncertainty by showing examples of how small-scale housing can fit on properties while respecting neighbourhood character, giving residents, builders, and City staff a shared starting point as we work to build more homes in Maple Ridge to meet the needs of our growing community.”
About the Housing Design Catalogue
The Housing Design Catalogue supports Maple Ridge’s small-scale multi-unit housing framework by providing clear, practical examples of how housing can fit on a property, integrate into existing neighbourhoods, and meet City requirements. The easy-to-navigate online resource brings together example site plans, conceptual housing designs, and links to external design libraries, all aligned with SSMUH zoning regulations and related policies. The Catalogue supports standard permitting and review processes and helps applicants better understand requirements early in the design process. The catalogue is available at MapleRidge.ca/HousingDesignCatalogue.
The Housing Design Catalogue is organized into four sections:
- Pre-Reviewed Site Plans – City-prepared example layouts (not site-specific) showing how small-scale multi-unit housing could fit on common lot types, including building placement, access, parking, and private outdoor space.
- Housing Design Partnerships – Conceptual housing designs created by architectural firms selected through a competitive City process. Homeowners and builders can purchase these licensed designs directly from the designers.
- Province of B.C. Housing Design Catalogue – Links to standardized housing designs developed by the Province of British Columbia to explore options and use as a starting point.
- CMHC Housing Design Catalogue – Links to federal housing design resources from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), included for general reference and showcasing construction approaches and design efficiencies that may be adaptable to local conditions.
Important Information for Applicants
All designs and site plans in the Housing Design Catalogue are conceptual and illustrative only. Use of a design does not guarantee approval or expedited processing. Applicants must continue to follow the City’s standard review and approval processes, which may include:
- Development and building permits
- Servicing and engineering review
- Compliance with zoning, environmental requirements, and the BC Building Code
“The Housing Design Catalogue is about clarity and confidence,” said James Stiver, Director of Planning and Building. “By providing practical examples and trusted design resources, we’re helping residents and builders navigate the infill process more easily and have more informed conversations early on.”
The City committed to creating the Housing Design Catalogue as part of its application for funding from the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) that the City announced securing in February 2025 to boost housing supply.
Housing Ready – Building a Community for All
Maple Ridge is growing at twice the national average with 106,000 residents and counting. We’re leveraging innovative policies, strategic planning, digital tools, streamlined processes, and strong partnerships to help ensure that we deliver more housing that is affordable, inclusive, and integrates with our plans for smart, sustainable city growth.
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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