Hardscaping Contractor in Mission
Mission sits on the north side of the Fraser River where the valley floor meets the foothills of the Coast Mountains. From the compact urban core near the heritage downtown to the hillside communities of Silverdale and Hatzic, the city combines small-town character with terrain that demands serious hardscaping. The slopes here are real — and they reward builders who know how to work with them.
The lot types in Mission range widely. Urban compact zones (UC300, UC372) in the core have small footprints with 55% lot coverage and 60% impervious surface limits. Suburban properties in Cedar Valley and Ferndale offer larger lots but tighter impervious caps at 50%. Rural acreages out toward Stave Falls and Dewdney push lot sizes into the hectares with just 25% impervious surface allowed. Every zone in Mission has an explicit impervious surface cap — there is no guessing.
Mission shares its 0.6m retaining wall permit threshold with Maple Ridge — the strictest in our coverage area. Every wall over two feet needs a permit and full P.Eng. engineering. Wood is banned for structural walls over 0.6m, and blank concrete block is prohibited on residential lots. We specialize in the poured concrete, precast, and architectural masonry that Mission's bylaws require.
Neighbourhoods We Serve
Local Regulations You Should Know
Retaining Wall Permits — 0.6m Trigger, Tied for Strictest
Walls over 0.6m (2 ft) from lowest adjacent grade require a building permit with full P.Eng. design, field reviews, and letters of assurance. Stepped walls with an overall slope steeper than 2H:1V and individual steps over 0.6m also require engineering. Walls in geohazard areas require a permit regardless of height. Zoning limits exposed height to 1.2m per wall with 1.2m minimum horizontal spacing between tiers.
Source: Building Bylaw 3590, §3.2, §8.1-§8.6 + Zoning Bylaw 5949, §112.B
Material Restrictions — No Wood, No Blank Block
Retaining walls over 0.6m must be poured concrete, precast concrete, masonry, or rock — wood is prohibited. Blank (unfinished) concrete block is also prohibited on residential lots. This means split-face block, decorative masonry, formed concrete, or natural stone are your options. Poured concrete fences are also banned — fences must be wood, metal, masonry (non-poured), or precast decorative panels.
Source: Building Bylaw 3590, §8.6 + Zoning Bylaw 5949, §112.A.1.e
Fence Heights — Front, Side, and Fence-on-Wall Limits
Side and rear fences: 1.9m maximum. Front yard and exterior side on flanking streets: 1.2m maximum, and in UC/R zones these fences must be at least 33% visually open (picket, rail, or metal). Fences mounted on top of retaining walls are capped at 1.5m for the fence portion. Vision clearance triangle: 1.0m maximum within 6.0m of corner intersections.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 5949, §112.A + §104.C
Impervious Surface — Caps in Every Zone
Mission regulates impervious surface in every residential zone: 60% for urban compact and R465 zones, 55% for R558, 50% for R669/R930/S10 suburban, 30% for S20, and 25% for rural zones. Your building footprint, driveway, patio, and all hardscaping count toward this limit. We calculate coverage during the design phase.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 5949, §801-§1201
Fire Pit Rules — Wood Burning Allowed with Permit
Mission is one of the few municipalities where recreational wood-burning fire pits are legal with a $40 one-time burning permit. Pits must be non-combustible, enclosed on all sides, maximum 1.0m wide by 0.6m tall, and set 4.6m from any building or combustible. Limited to 6 uses per month under 'Good' ventilation conditions. Gas and propane fire pits require no permit.
Source: Burning Bylaw 5962-2020, §3.1(c)(II), §4.4
Permit Fees in Mission
| Permit Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Building Permit (up to $5K value) | $165.50 flat |
| Building Permit ($5K-$50K value) | $165.50 + $12.50 per $1,000 |
| Demolition Permit | $220.50 |
| Wood Fire Pit Burning Permit | $40.00 one-time |
Fees are approximate and may change. Contact 604-820-3748 for current rates.