Maple Ridge Cuts New Home Permit Times by up to 73% with Online System

Maple Ridge, B.C., December 8, 2025 – Builders and developers in Maple Ridge are seeing significantly faster approvals for new home building projects, with the City reducing permit processing times by up to 73 per cent since transitioning to the new online application system. New Home Construction Permit approvals are now averaging 12 weeks or less.

The milestone is part of the City’s Development Services Optimization (DSO) program, a multi-year effort launched in March 2025 to streamline permitting and improve service for builders, developers and homeowners. The new 12-week average excludes applicant-related delays, and the City expects timelines to improve further with ongoing modernization efforts and when complete documentation is submitted by applicants.

Online processing times for Tenant Improvement permits now average under nine weeks, while Demolition permits are being completed in less than three weeks.

“This is a massive achievement for our community,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “Cutting approval times by over half shows the system is working and that we are building the capacity to keep pace with the housing and commercial investment needed in our rapidly growing city. There’s still work to do, but we are committed to making the process clear, efficient and accessible for all builders and developers.”

Other recent upgrades to the online portal include online submissions for Certified Professional (CP) Program projects, integrated engineering reviews, online fee payment, application revisions, fields for provincial housing requirements, and an application wizard that helps users determine which permits they need.

“Every upgrade builds a development system that’s modern, transparent and future focused,” said James Stiver, the City’s Director of Planning and Building. “Our new permit processing times reflect the commitment of our staff and collaboration with the local industry to create a permitting system that works better for homeowners, builders and businesses—without compromising the safety and quality our community expects.”

More Flexibility for Builders

Builders and developers can access online permit applications through MapleRidge.ca/Build. After clicking or tapping ‘apply’, a guided eight-step process confirms which permits are required for the project and prompts for document upload. Users may save progress and return later to complete their submissions as needed. The current list of 100% online permit application types includes:

• New Home Construction Permits (MapleRidge.ca/NewHomes)

• Tenant Improvement (TI) Permits (MapleRidge.ca/CommercialRenovation)

• Demolition Permits (MapleRidge.ca/Demolition)

• Certified Professional Program projects (MapleRidge.ca/CPP)

Trades Permits will be added to the online portal in the coming months.

A detailed walkthrough video of the online permit portal is available at MapleRidge.ca/Build.

Supporting Future Housing Growth

Modernization efforts are helping Maple Ridge exceed its Provincial housing targets. The City has surpassed the 2025 housing target by 23 per cent, with 751 net new homes built over the past year.

With 16,700 residential lots available, the streamlined permit portal is seen as a key tool to accelerate approvals and help Maple Ridge meet its 2029 target of 3,954 new homes.

More than 150 rezoning applications and 450 building permit applications are currently underway, supported by strategic initiatives such as the Maple Ridge Moves plan, which guides investments in road, transportation and infrastructure projects including the Abernethy Way extension, 240 Street bridge and future introduction of Bus Rapid Transit on Lougheed Highway.

To learn more about housing in Maple Ridge, visit MapleRidge.ca/Housing.

To learn more about the Development Services Optimization program, visit MapleRidge.ca/DSO.

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Media Contact:

Pardeep Purewal

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Engagement

T: 604 466 4319 E: Media@MapleRidge.ca