All businesses owned or operating within Maple Ridge must have a business licence.
Fill out our online Business Licence Application Form.
- You must know the legal address of the building you want to purchase or lease before you fill out the Commercial Business Licence Application
- Before you sign a lease or purchase property, you may wish to check with the Planning and Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety departments at City Hall to make sure you may occupy the premises for the type of business for which you are applying
- There are different requirements under the Zoning Bylaw and Building Bylaw for uses such as retail, office, restaurant, manufacturing, beauty salon, etc.
- Each space in a building has its own specific approved use. The use of that space cannot be changed without approval and/or permits
- The licensee must hold current operating approval from applicable regulatory bodies
- Submit a completed Commercial Business Licence Application to the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department along with a minimum payment of $110.00
- Inspections may be required for your type of business. Our Business Licence Coordinator will advise you what inspections, if any, are required. For more detailed information on the inspection / approval process, please review our Commercial Business Licence Application Process Guide
For direct assistance and guidance through the licensing and potential permitting process you may contact our Business Licence Coordinator by email at buslic@mapleridge.ca or phone at 604-467-7440.
Maple Ridge is a great location to open a daycare. We're one of the fastest growing cities in Metro Vancouver with a growing number of young families every year looking for daycare options.
Home Based
If the daycare is to be operated out of your home:
- A Home Based Daycare Application must be completed and submitted to the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department along with a minimum payment of $110.00
- A maximum of eight (8) children allowed in a home daycare
- Approval is required by both the Fire Department and Fraser Health. Review our Business Licence Application Guide for more information on the approval process
- For additional information on what to expect when applying for a home based daycare business licence, please review our home based daycare business licence guide
Commercial Location
If the daycare is to be operated from a commercial location:
- A Commercial Licence Application must be completed and submitted to the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department along with a minimum payment of $110.00
- Approval is required by the Building Department, the Fire Department and Fraser Health
- After approval is received from the Building Department and the Fire Department, the commercial application is then submitted to the Fraser Health Authority for final approval
- For more detailed information on the inspection/approval process please review our commercial business licence application process guide
What is a Home Based Business?
A Home Occupation, also called a home based business, is the operation of a small scale service, trade, profession, or craft from your home.
- To operate a home based business there must be a home on the property and the business must be operated by the occupant(s) of the home. Home based businesses are an important part of the City's economy, however, the City needs to ensure that neighbourhood character is maintained and employees are safe. As a result, there are limitations on the operation of a home based business.
- The City categorizes home based businesses into 4 types, each with their own set of regulations.
- Type 1 is for residents of a townhouse or apartment. Review our Type 1 Home Based Business brochure for more information.
- Type 2 is for residents of single detached lots, under 1,200 square meters. Review our Type 2 Home Based Business brochure for more information.
- Type 3 is for residents of single detached lots, 1,200 square meters and over. Review our Type 3 Home Based Business brochure for more information.
- Type 4 is for residents of single detached lots over 1 acre. Review our Type 4 Home Based Business brochure for more information.
- A Home Based Business Licence Application must be completed and submitted to the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department along with a minimum payment of $110.00
- The licensee must maintain compliance with all Maple Ridge Bylaws
- The business must be in compliance with the property use requirements of the Zoning Bylaw
- Inspections are required. Review our Business Licence Application Guide for more information on inspections and the approval process
- The licensee must hold current operating approval from applicable regulatory bodies
If you have any questions about whether a business would be permitted in your home, contact the Planning Department:
Email: planning@mapleridge.ca
Phone: 604-467-7341
Fax: 604-466-4327
Visit City Hall at: 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9
History and Background
- July 18, 2017 Council Workshop Report outlined the above with possible new zoning regulations
- October 17, 2017 Council Workshop Report summarized the community consultation activities and feedback as well as providing a revised set of regulatory changes to the Zoning Bylaw for Council to consider. View the video archive of the October 17, 2017 Council Workshop. At the October 17, 2017 meeting, Council carried the recommendation that the revised regulatory changes (now called Bylaw No. 7394-2017) be forwarded to the next Council meeting for consideration of first reading
- October 24, 2017 Council Report. First Reading was given to Bylaw No. 7394-2017
- December 5, 2017 Council Report. Second Reading was given to Bylaw No. 7394-2017 and was forwarded to the January 23, 2018 Public Hearing
- January 23, 2018 Public Hearing. The recordings of the Public Hearing and Regular Council Meeting are available in the video archives
- January 30, 2018 Council Report. Third Reading was given to Bylaw No. 7394-2017
- February 27, 2018 Council Repot. Fourth/Final Reading was given to Bylaw No. 7394-2017. The meeting agenda and recordings are available in the video archives. View the full text of Maple Ridge Zone Amending Bylaw No. 7394-2017
- July 28, 2020 Council Workshop Report provided an overview of the successes to the Home Occupation regulation expansion as well as next steps to maintain flexible approaches that enable the continuation of safe and adaptable employment opportunities in Maple Ridge
Past Community Engagement Information
For more information and to share feedback about the proposed updates on the home based business regulations, a public open house took place at the Maple Ridge Library on the evening of September 13, 2017. A copy of the September 13, 2017 Open House Information Boards are available online and the October 17, 2017 Council Workshop Report summarizes the September 2017 engagement activities.
City staff were also available to answer questions on the proposed home based business updates at the Haney Farmers Market on Saturday September 9, 2017, Women's AM on September 14, 2017, Babes in Business on September 19, 2017 and at the networking event, hosted by the Home Based Business Task Force, on September 22, 2017. A community survey was available to gather resident feedback at all community events as well as online until October 2, 2017.
You May Be Eligible For an Upgrade
The IMBL allows you to do business in 12 communities across the Fraser Valley under one licence. You can review our IMBL Bylaw online.
You Could Save Money if You Work in Multiple Communities
Maple Ridge participates in the Fraser Valley IMBL program covering 12 municipalities. The IMBL allows mobile businesses related to the construction industry to operate in more than one municipality, under one licence, rather than obtaining non-resident licences from each municipality.
The cost of the IMBL is $250 and is in addition to your existing Maple Ridge Business Licence. The IMBL is valid for the same term as your regular Business Licence and requests for this endorsement should be made to the City of Maple Ridge Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department.
Where is the IMBL Valid?
A Fraser Valley IMBL is valid in each of the following participating municipalities:
- City of Abbotsford
- City of Chilliwack
- City of Delta
- City of Langley
- City of Maple Ridge
- City of Pitt Meadows
- City of Surrey
- District of Hope
- District of Kent
- District of Mission
- Township of Langley
- Village of Harrison Hot Springs
What is the Cost of an IMBL?
An eligible mobile business (including home-based businesses) pays the City of Maple Ridge business licence fee of $110 plus the annual IMBL fee of $250. Purchasing business licences for each individual municipality can total over $1000. This endorsement can save hundreds of dollars in Business Licence fees.
Working in Partnership With:
Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology - Small Business Branch.
What Are the Advantages?
Businesses:
Reduced time and cost and simplified expansion into new communities.
Residents:
More choice of contractors and service providers.
How Do I Get an IMBL?
There is no additional application process. Simply contact the City of Maple Ridge Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department and the endorsement can be added to your existing Maple Ridge licence over the phone.
Who is Eligible?
Construction and trades contractors or construction industry related businesses can purchase a Fraser Valley IMBL to operate in 12 neighbouring municipalities. Mobile businesses which have a fixed and permanent location in one of the 12 participating municipalities are eligible for the IMBL.
- A Non Resident Business Licence Application must be completed and submitted to the Bylaw, Licensing & Community Safety Department along with a minimum payment of $110.00
- The licensee must hold current operating approval from applicable regulatory bodies
- No inspections are required