---
title: "Maple Ridge building permits: when you need one and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?"
place: Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/maple-ridge
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Maple Ridge
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/building-permit/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/building-permit.json"
---

# Maple Ridge building permits: when you need one and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?

**Short answer:** In Maple Ridge you need a City building permit before you build, demolish or move a building or structure. The bylaw lets accessory buildings of 10 square metres or less go without one. Apply through the City's online Citizen Portal. No set processing time is stated.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Maple Ridge, https://www.mapleridge.ca)  
**Cost:** An application fee ($180.25 for a house or duplex, $602.55 for other buildings) plus a fee based on the value of the work, under the Fees and Charges Bylaw 7575-2019. See the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** The City states no set time. It says the timeline varies with the volume of applications, the complexity of the project and how complete the application is.  
**Where:**
- Online: Citizen Portal (apply and track), https://citizenportal.mapleridge.ca/citizenportal/app/landing
- Email: Permit applications, PermitApplications@MapleRidge.ca
- Phone: Building general inquiries and inspections line, 604-467-7311
- Email: Building general inquiries, BuildingEnquiries@MapleRidge.ca
- In person: Maple Ridge City Hall, Planning and Building, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9

## Key facts

- **Needed for:** A permit is required before any construction, demolition or moving of a building or structure, and before occupying a new building or changing a building's use. The City's pages set the size line at over 10 m² (107 sq. ft.) or over 100 sq. ft. Retaining walls over 0.6 m also need one. (Sources differ: The Building Permits page says over 100 sq. ft.; the Home Improvements page says over 10 m2 (107 sq. ft.); Building Bylaw s. 10.6(e) lets accessory buildings up to 10 m2 be built without a permit. Treat 10 m2 as the bylaw line.)
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 10.1, 10.2, 15.2](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)
  - Official wording: "A permit is required when construction regulated under this Bylaw is to be undertaken" … "Commencing any construction work for any building or structure;" … "Demolishing a building or structure;" … "Moving a building or structure into or within the geographic limits of the City;" … "A building permit is required for any retaining wall over 0.6 metres in height."
  - Source: [Home Improvements, Home Improvements page](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements)
  - Official wording: "A Home Improvement Building Permit is required to build, construct, remodel, repair, demolish, remove, or move any building or structure over 10 m2 (107 sq.ft.)."
  - Source: [Building Permits](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "A building permit is legally required to build, construct, remodel, repair, demolish, remove or move any building or structure over 100 square feet."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not needed for:** Storage and garden sheds and other accessory buildings of 10 m² or less may be built without a permit, but must still meet the Building Code and all bylaws. A plumbing permit is not required for leak repairs, fixture replacement or clearing blockages (with clean-outs). The Chief Building Official may waive a requirement.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 10.6(e), 13.5, 11.4](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)
  - Official wording: "Storage and garden sheds and other accessory buildings not exceeding ten (10) square metres in floor area may be erected without a permit" … "A plumbing permit is not required for:" … "The repair of leaks in water pipes;" … "The Chief Building Official may waive a permit requirement where"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Home improvement permits: apply through the City's online Citizen Portal (create an account, add a new permit, upload drawings and forms, pay fees in the portal). The Residential Permits page also says to come to City Hall to apply. Plumbing, electrical, gas and sprinkler permits without drawings can be emailed to PermitApplications@MapleRidge.ca. (Sources differ: City pages differ: the Home Improvements page describes online portal submission; the Residential Permits page (updated May 2026) says come to City Hall. Both are City web pages; no bylaw rule.)
  - Source: [Home Improvements, Step Six: Submit Completed Application Via Online Portal](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements)
  - Official wording: "Create an account on, or visit the Online Portal" … "Upload drawings, forms, and any required supporting documentation"
  - Source: [Residential Permits, Helpful Tips for Your Application](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/residential-permits)
  - Official wording: "come to City Hall to apply for your permit with your application fees"
  - Source: [Building Permits, Building Permits page](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "may be sent to PermitApplications@MapleRidge.ca for processing"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **What to submit:** A title search dated within 30 days, copies of covenants and charges on title, legible scaled design drawings, any approvals required under other laws, and the City's application form and fees. Hand-drawn plans and previously stamped drawings are not accepted. Checklists vary by project type.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 11.2, 11.3](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)
  - Official wording: "the said Title Search must be dated no more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of application;" … "A copy of all covenants and charges listed on the Title Search;" … "Legible and reproducible design drawings at an appropriate scale;" … "Hand-rendered plans or modifications to plans."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Processing time:** No set time is stated. The City says the timeline varies with the volume of applications, the complexity of the project and how complete the application is.
  - Source: [Home Improvements, Step Eight: Permit Issuance](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements)
  - Official wording: "The permit timeline varies based on the factors below, but not limited to:" … "Volume of applications" … "Complexity of the project"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inspections:** Request an inspection at least 24 hours ahead. Inspections booked online before 3 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day; a.m. or p.m. is not guaranteed. Cancel before 3 p.m. at least one business day ahead. Inspections line: 604-467-7311.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 12.5](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)
  - Official wording: "The owner or the applicant must request an inspection at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance"
  - Source: [Inspections and Results, Book an Inspection](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/inspections-results)
  - Official wording: "Inspections are automatically scheduled for the following business day if booked before 3 pm" … "Book Inspections Online" … "by calling the inspections line at 604-467-7311"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Contact:** Planning and Building department, 11995 Haney Place: phone 604-467-7311; email BuildingEnquiries@MapleRidge.ca (general), PermitApplications@MapleRidge.ca (applications).
  - Source: [Residential Permits, Contact Information](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/residential-permits)
  - Official wording: "Tel: 604-467-7311 Email: BuildingEnquiries@MapleRidge.ca" … "Email: PermitApplications@MapleRidge.ca"
  - Source: [Accessory Building Guide, Footer](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-guidepdf)
  - Official wording: "11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026, s. 1.1](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)
  - Official wording: "Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Maple Ridge [Building Bylaw 8097-2026](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026) requires a permit before any construction, demolition or moving of a building or structure, and before occupying a new building or changing a building's use. A retaining wall over 0.6 m high also needs one.

Storage and garden sheds and other accessory buildings of 10 m² or less may be built without a permit, but must still meet the Building Code and all bylaws.

## Steps

1. Check your zoning and site limits on the City's RidgeView map, or ask Planning (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Read the guide and checklist for your project on the Residential Permits or Home Improvements page. Checklists vary by project type.
3. Gather a title search dated within 30 days, copies of covenants and charges on title, and legible scaled drawings.
4. Create an account in the Citizen Portal, add a new permit, upload your drawings and forms, and pay the fees there.
5. Request each inspection at least 24 hours ahead, by the inspections line (604-467-7311) or online.

## Good to know

- The Building Permits page says a permit is needed over 100 square feet; the Home Improvements page and the bylaw use 10 m² (107 square feet). The bylaw figure is used here. Confirm with the Building department for a size in between.
- The Residential Permits page says to come to City Hall to apply; the Home Improvements page says to use the portal. Both are City pages, so confirm if you want to apply on paper.
- Plumbing, electrical, gas and sprinkler permits without drawings can be emailed to PermitApplications@MapleRidge.ca.
- Inspections booked online before 3 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day. A morning or afternoon time is not guaranteed.
- The Chief Building Official may waive a permit requirement in some cases.

## What you'll need

- Title search dated within 30 days
- Copies of covenants and charges on title
- Legible, scaled design drawings (hand-drawn plans are not accepted)
- Any approvals required under other laws, plus the City's application form

## Official forms and pages

- [Building Permits (City page)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/building-permits)
- [Home Improvements (City page)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements)
- [Residential Permits (guides, checklists, forms)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/residential-permits)
- [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026)

## Related questions

- [Maple Ridge permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Maple Ridge building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Maple Ridge zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit.md)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/building-permit.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/building-permit.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/building-permit.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/building-permit.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/building-permit.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits, City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/building-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Home Improvements, City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/home-improvements) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Permits, City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/residential-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 8097-2026 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/building-bylaw-no-8097-2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Accessory Building Guide (PDF), City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/accessory-building-permit-guidepdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inspections and Results, City of Maple Ridge](https://www.mapleridge.ca/build-do-business/construction-development-permits/inspections-results) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019 (PDF)](https://www.mapleridge.ca/media/file/fees-charges-consolidated-bylaw-no-7575-2019) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Maple Ridge. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/building-permit/_