Public Safety Inspection Program

The Public Safety Inspection Program keeps our community safe.

Marijuana grow operations put our community at risk. The Public Safety Inspection Program protects people and homes from dangerous grow operations by focussing on the home safety concerns associated with marijuana grow operations. The program puts marijuana growers out of business.

Public Safety First

The Public Safety Inspection Program puts public safety first by taking an administrative approach to shutting down low-level residential grow operations. Grow operation activity is increasing in the region and Coquitlam created the Public Safety Inspection Program to help eliminate these activities. By shutting down grow ops from a fire safety perspective and using an administrative warrant, Coquitlam is reducing electrical hazards, preventing fires and improving community safety.

How the Program Works

One of the key indicators of a grow operation is high electrical usage due to the extensive lighting and equipment required to grow the plants. The Public Safety Inspection Program uses reports from BC Hydro to identify properties that have unusually high electrical usage and then targets those properties with bylaw inspections. The goal of the program is to identify potential fire hazards and shut down grow operations in our community.

Identify High Risk Properties

Working with the RCMP, the Public Safety Inspection Team sends a notice and posting to property owners advising them that an inspection is required within 24 hours. If the property owner does not arrange for an inspection within 24 hours, or if electrical hazards are identified during an inspection, the power is shut off.

Address Safety Hazards

If safety hazards are identified during an inspection, the occupancy permit for the property will be revoked until the property owner completes all required renovation work to meet building code and health and safety standards. To ensure public safety, the work must pass all required inspections before an occupancy permit will be re-issued. The inspection fee is $5,000 and the fees must be paid in full before the electrical power will be turned back on. There may also be permit and inspection fees related to repair work to meet occupancy requirements.

Penalties & Fines

In addition to the costs for all required construction work and inspection fees, the property owner will also be charged a $500 fine for each bylaw infraction found on the property. The most common infractions associated with grow operations include:

• illegal building modifications
• mould
• interference with power
• unauthorized occupancy
• emitting odours and fumes
  failure to complete required repairs

This document has been prepared to provide general information only.  It is not a legal document. If any contradiction exists between this document and the relevant City Bylaws, Codes or Policies, the text of the Bylaws, Codes or Policies shall be the legal authority.

City of Coquitlam

3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, BC, V3B 7N2
Phone: 604.927.3000
Fax: 604.927.3015