Infill Housing (Housing Choices)

Providing different housing options is critical to addressing a range of housing needs, meeting projected housing demand in Coquitlam, and enhancing community livability. The City has encouraged more housing choice, in part, through infill housing. 

Housing Choices Program

The Housing Choices Program was adopted in 2011, and updated in 2019, to facilitate new small-scale, ground-oriented housing options in low-density areas of Southwest Coquitlam.  A wide range of housing options are permitted including, backyard suites, narrow-lot single family homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and multiplexes.  

The goals of the Housing Choices Program are to:

  • maintain healthy and vibrant neighbourhoods through housing projects that are pedestrian-oriented and make a positive contribution and enhancement to neighbourhoods
  • provide for a greater sense of community
  • enhance livability
  • increase access to more affordable housing options

The Housing Choices Program applies only to properties in Southwest Coquitlam with the Citywide Official Community Plan land use designation “Neighbourhood Attached Residential” (also known as “Housing Choices areas”) and that are zoned RT-1 “Infill Residential” or RT-3 “Multiplex Residential” in the Zoning Bylaw.  

For more information: