Detached Garden Suites (DGS) have been permitted in Maple Ridge since regulations were adopted in 2008 and continue to provide an important form of affordable housing in the City of Maple Ridge that benefits both renters and homeowners.
A DGS is not intended to be a second principal house on the one family lot but is rather meant to be detached, accessory and subordinate in nature to the main house.
On October 24, 2023, Council adopted Zone Amending Bylaw No. 7866-2022 to permit detached garden suites up to 140 m2 (1,500 ft.2) or 15% of the lot area, whichever is less, in the zones that already permit a detached garden suite outside of the Agricultural Land Reserve. Detached garden suites within the Agricultural Land Reserve have a maximum gross floor area of 90 m2.
Detached Garden Suite Regulations
All detached garden suite regulations can be found in the City of Maple Ridge Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019. The following information provides a summary of the regulations that apply to detached garden suites within Maple Ridge.
- Detached garden suites must not more than 140 m2or 15% of the lot area (whichever is less); unless the property is within the Agricultural Land Reserve
- Detached garden suites within the Agricultural Land Reserve must not be more than 90 m2 or 15% of the lot area (whichever is less)
- One parking off-street parking space must be dedicated to the detached garden suite
- Detached garden suites must not be situated within the Floodplain Area
- Detached garden suites must remain under the same legal title
- Detached garden suites must not be used for short-term/ vacation rentals