Maple Ridge moves major building permits online to speed up development approvals
Developers and builders in Maple Ridge can now apply online for permits covering some of the city’s largest construction projects, as the municipality continues its push to reduce red tape and speed up development approvals.
The City of Maple Ridge announced Oct. 28 that complex new building permits are now available through its Online Permit Portal, marking the tenth permit application process to be digitized under the ongoing Development Services Optimization program.
The permits are required for residential buildings with more than six units, mixed-use developments, commercial and industrial buildings, and institutional facilities.
These projects typically involve multiple professionals, technical drawings, environmental reports and approvals from several city departments, making them among the most complicated applications to process.
“Major development projects have many moving pieces, and our goal is to make navigating the City’s part of that process as straightforward and predictable as possible,” said outgoing Mayor Dan Ruimy. “Bringing Complex New Building Permit applications online is a major step forward.”
The new system allows applicants to submit supporting documents electronically and identify potential requirements earlier in the process, including rezoning, development permits and environmental assessments.
City officials say the changes should help developers submit more complete applications, reduce administrative delays and provide greater certainty about approval requirements.
James Stiver, the city’s director of planning and building, said the digital transition is intended to make Maple Ridge a more competitive destination for construction and investment.
“A complex development can involve a significant volume of plans, reports, professional disciplines, and interconnected City approvals,” Stiver said. “Creating a clear digital pathway helps applicants understand what is required, organize their submissions, and interact with a more consistent and efficient process.”
The latest expansion builds on the city’s broader efforts to modernize development approvals as Maple Ridge accommodates continued population growth and demand for new housing and commercial space.
According to the city, its Development Services Optimization program has already reduced processing times for new home permits by 77 percent, with a current target of completing those applications within 10 weeks.
Other applications available online include permits for new home construction, renovations, demolitions, engineering servicing reviews, highway use, seasonal patios and occupancy.
The city also plans to integrate its Certified Professional Program and phased complex building applications into the online portal later this year, providing additional options for major construction projects.
While the city expects the changes to improve efficiency, it has not provided a specific processing-time reduction target for complex building permits.
Developers are encouraged to consult qualified professionals early in the design process to identify potential approval requirements before submitting applications.
More information and applications are available at MapleRidge.ca/ComplexPermits.
