Bylaw Violations & the Complaint Process

How to File a Bylaw Complaint

You can submit a complaint online, over the phone 604-467-7305, by email, by regular mail or in person at the Licences & Bylaws Department at the City. You must identify yourself when making the complaint as the City will not accept anonymous complaints and there is a limit of three (3) non-recurring complaints per complainant property, per calendar year. The City will keep the identity of the complainant confidential even if the complainant has agreed to be identified. The only time their name is used is if they are needed to be identified as a complainant in Court or before Council. In these cases we will contact the complainant prior to releasing any information.

Required Information

When making a bylaw complaint, be prepared to give your name, address and telephone number and to provide as many details as possible about the complaint, including the following:

address of property involved
description of motor vehicle with licence plate (if applicable)
date(s) when violation observed
detailed description of violation

COVID-19 Complaints

Contact Fraser Health Authority directly by phone at 604-587-3936 or by email at hpmapleridge@fraserhealth.ca if your concern is regarding:
• Personal Service Establishments, including spas, salons, etc.
• Food Premises, including restaurants, mobile and grocery stores.
• Daycares
• Pools - public and private.

Contact WorkSafe BC at 6040-276-3100 if your concern relates to a construction site not complying with current COVID-19 rules and regulations.

For all other COVID-19 related matters, contact Ridge Meadows RCMP non-emergency line at 604-463-6251.

Complaint Responses

Bylaw Compliance Officers will investigate your complaint as soon as possible. You are encouraged to keep your complaint file up to date and to keep the Bylaw Compliance Officer apprised of the status of your complaint, if the situation improves, worsens or stays the same.

If there is a contravention of City bylaws, Bylaw Compliance Officers will work with the person responsible to voluntarily remedy the situation. The City appreciates your patience in bylaw enforcement matters.

In relation to certain hazardous situations or declared nuisances, City Council may order a person to rectify the situation or take action to eliminate the hazard or damage and require the person to pay the costs incurred to do so. Where compliance with a bylaw is a condition of a licence or permit, Bylaw Compliance Officers may find it necessary to suspend the licence or permit until the person, or persons, comply.

Bylaw Violations

Some of the more common bylaw violations are listed below.

Animal Control Bylaw

Please contact the Maple Ridge Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) at 604-463-9511 to report a dog at large. View our Animal Control & Licencing Bylaw (PDF).

Building Bylaw

Please contact the City of Maple Ridge Building Department at 604-467-7311 if you would like to make a complaint regarding Building Bylaw (PDF) violations, such as:

building without a permit
building after a stop work order had been given
occupying a building without an occupancy permit

Business Licence Bylaw

Complaints include operating a business without a current Maple Ridge business licence. View our Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw (PDF).

Highway and Traffic Bylaw

For any moving traffic violations, like speeding, please call the Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251 or if considered an emergency, call 911. Review our Highway and Traffic Bylaw (PDF). Some of the more common violations under this bylaw include:

overtime parking
parking within 3 metres of a private driveway or entrance
parking within 6 metres of a stop sign or traffic control signal
parking within 5 metres of a fire hydrant
parking in a "no parking" or restricted parking area
parking an overweight vehicle (over 5,500 kilograms) in a residential zone
leaving an unhitched trailer or boat on the street

Noise Bylaw

If the noise you hear is gunshots or people fighting, please contact the RCMP at 911. For noise complaints such as a barking dog, loud music, etc., please print off and complete our complaint form (PDF) or contact the Licences & Bylaws Department at 604-467-7305. Please note that to lodge a noise complaint, we will need to know the following information: type of noise, dates, times and duration of the noise that is occurring. We do not accept anonymous complaints. Review our Noise Bylaw (PDF).