Do you know when you need a permit or need to have an inspection carried out when building on your property?  This section provides general information on when permits and inspections are required. 

When do I need a Building Permit?

You should always review your building requirements with City staff before commencing a project. Work that does not requires a permit, must still comply with the City's Bylaws and Building Code.

Some examples of when building permit is required:

• Constructing a new building
• Adding to a building (including attached garages) 
• Applying to build a new secondary suite or legalize an existing secondary suite
• Upgrading an existing building or changing a use in existing building
• Creating new rooms or spaces within an existing building
• Finishing a basement
• Demolishing a building or part of a building
• Building a deck or a gazebo
• Installing a hot tub or building a swimming pool
• Adding an accessory building, an equipment room, a shed, or detached garage
• Building a retaining wall over 1.2 meters in height
• Constructing roads within a strata development
• Restoration, maintenance or repair of building structural components and systems
• Restoration, maintenance or repair of significant building fire and life safety components and systems.

Building permits are not required for:

• Restoration, maintenance or repair of building elements and systems that do not affect the structural or fire and life safety performance of a building
• Emergency maintenance undertaken in a timely manner. 
• Decks less than 0.6 meters above grade
• Retaining walls under 1.2 m in height
• Fences
• Repairing drain tile
• Installing a new roof on an existing building
• Sidewalks or patios on private property

When do I need a Plumbing Permit?

Some examples of when a plumbing permit is required:

• Performing any work on a plumbing system in a new or existing building
• Installing a new or replacing an existing sanitary sewer, storm sewer or water service located on private property
• Installing a lawn irrigation system requiring a domestic water backflow device
• Installing a new or replacement domestic water backflow preventer
• installing water and sewer services on private property (e.g. services outside building on starta lots)

Plumbing permits are not required for:

• The repair of leaks in water pipes
• The replacement of plumbing fixtures, provided that such replacement fixtures and the installation thereof conform with all the requirements of the Coquitlam Building Bylaw and the B.C. Plumbing Code
• The removal of stoppages in sewer or water pipes, provided that cleanouts are utilized for such purposes and the removal does not necessitate the cutting of any sewer or drain pipe

When do I need a Gas Permit?

Some examples of when a gas permit is required:

• Performing any work on a natural gas or propane gas piping or venting system (pressure 2 psi or less)
• Installing any new or replacement gas appliance

Gas permits are not required for:

• Routine maintenance of a gas system
• Repair work that does not necessitate the replacement of any material components of the gas system or
• Gas systems requiring the issuance of a Provincial Gas Permit as required by the Gas Safety Act

For more information, please contact the BC Safety Authority at 604-927-2041. They are located at 2773 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam.

When do I need a Soils Conservation Permit?

Some examples of when a soils conservation permit may be required:

• Moving, removing or depositing soil in excess of 500 cubic metres
• Changing the grade of a property by more than one metre

For more information, see the Soils Conservation Guide or contact the Development Servicing Section of the Planning and Development Department at 604-927-3467.

When do I need a Development Permit?

A development permit is an approval that must be issued by City Council where rezoning is involved or where larger developments are located within a designated development permit area.  Development Permits are not normally required for single family dwellings except within the Northeast Coquitlam area where any development or alteration of land is proposed within 50 metres of the top of the bank within a Watercourse Protection Development Permit Area.

A duplex within a development permit area in Maillardville also requires a development permit even if the property is currently zoned for that use.

For more information, please contact the Development Planning Section of the Planning and Development Department at 604-927-3430.

When do I need an Electrical Permit?

Information about electrical permits and inspections can be obtained from the BC Safety Authority at 604-927-2041. They are located at 2773 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam.

When do I need a Fire Sprinkler Permit?

A fire sprinkler permit is required when:

• Performing any additions or alterations to a fire sprinkler system in a new or existing building. (See Inspections - Fire Sprinklers below)

Fire sprinkler permits are not required when:

• Performing routine maintenance to an existing fire sprinkler system including replacement of damaged sprinkler heads and annual testing of system components.

When do I need a Tree Cutting Permit?

For information on Tree Cutting Permits, please contact the Environmental Services at the Planning and Development Department at 604-927-3413 or the Urban Forestry Technician at 604-927-3482.