An Area Plan focuses on the land uses, policies and issues of a section within the City and is applied only to the areas within the boundaries of that Area Plan. There are four Area Plans in Coquitlam:

• City Centre Area Plan
• Northeast Coquitlam Area Plan
• Northwest Coquitlam Area Plan
• Southwest Area Plan

Each Area Plan contains a coloured Land Use Map which shows the future land uses intended by Council. These land use designations will determine future development, redevelopment, or rezoning of property within the Area Plan. The land use policies in each Area Plan are implemented through zoning regulations, development permit guidelines and design guidelines.

Neighbourhood Plans provide more detailed information about the land uses, policies and issues that are relevant to that specific neighbourhood.  Each Neighbourhood Plan also includes a coloured Land Use Map and land use policies which are implemented through zoning regulations, development permit guidelines and design guidelines.  Neighbourhood Plans may also include related documents, such as design guidelines for particular types of development. These should be consulted in addition to the Neighbourhood Plan.

The current Neighbourhood Plans adopted for Coquitlam are:

• Maillardville Neighbourhood Plan 
• Burquitlam Neighbourhood Plan 
• Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan
• Lower Hyde Creek Neighbourhood Plan
• Upper Hyde Creek Neighbourhood Plan
• Smiling Creek Neighbourhood Plan 

A Neighbourhood Plan for the Partington Creek are in Northeast Coquitlam is currently being prepared.  

Neighbourhood Plans will be considered for adoption by Council after extensive consultation with the neighbourhood to ensure that the Plan meets the goals and needs of the community, landowners and other interested parties. Progress on the work on each Neighbourhood Plan is updated regularly.