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Building & Construction
Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Last Updated: Sept. 24, 2020
With construction considered an essential service in B.C., the City of Coquitlam has introduced a number of temporary measures to help keep construction and housing projects on track while continuing to support public health.
In addition to the measures detailed below, the City offers a number of online eServices to support business transactions with the City.
Planning and Development Service Updates
- June 15, 2020 bulletin (PDF)
- June 1, 2020 bulletin (PDF)
- May 1, 2020 bulletin (PDF)
- April 1, 2020 bulletin (PDF)
- March 26, 2020 bulletin (PDF)
- March 23, 2020 bulletin (PDF)
More Information
- Owner and Contractor Screening Questionnaire and Checklist (PDF)
- City’s response to the COVID-19 crisis
- Support for businesses
COVID-19 Temporary Measures
- Temporary Relaxing of Sign Rules
- Temporary Outdoor Business Spaces
- Temporary Noise Bylaw Extension
- Building Permits
- Building Inspections
- EPlan
- Development Applications
- Digital Submission & QFile File Transfer
- Courier Deliveries & Pick-up
- Payments
Relaxed Sign Rules to Support Businesses During COVID-19
Coquitlam has temporarily relaxed its sign regulations to help businesses more easily publicize key information related to the pandemic.
The temporary exemptions will mean businesses do not need to apply for a sign permit, pay fees or adhere to limits on the sign area (excluding sandwich board signs), time period and number of temporary signs that provide pandemic-related information such as:
- Hours of operation, closures and reopenings;
- Directional information to ensure physical distancing;
- Best practices to limit the spread of COVID-19, such as use of masks;
- Changes of services or inventory; and
- Phone numbers and website addresses.
The temporary signs may not be used to advertise products, services or pricing, and businesses are expected to keep the signs organized, maintained in a professional manner and installed safely.
Sandwich boards must remain on the business property and are not permitted on sidewalks or other public rights-of-way unless approved through a formal sign application.
The temporary exemptions will be revisited at the end of 2021.
- Report to Council - November 18, 2020 - Temporary COVID-19 Signage Exemptions for Local Businesses
The City has established a simple, expedited process to help Coquitlam businesses set up temporary patios and outdoor spaces to help support their business recovery during the pandemic. Visit the program page for additional information including the application guidelines and FAQs. Or contact us for more information.
Council has directed staff to not enforce the current permitted times for construction noise in in the Noise Bylaw from:
- 7 am to 9 pm. Monday to Friday (extended by one hour)
- 9 am to 8 pm. Saturdays (extended by two hours)
This temporary extension is only for sites strictly adhering to all Provincial Health Officer orders and protocols.
The City has not altered the Noise Bylaw but has instead directed Bylaw Enforcement Officers, Building Inspectors and the Construction Site Officers to not enforce the hours as noted above.
Other Requirements
- All construction sites are expected to follow safe construction practices, including appropriate physical distancing, as guided by your Construction Safety Officer and site safety plan.
- Enforcement will continue for all other aspects of the Noise Bylaw, including start times and the ban on for-profit construction on Sundays or holidays.
- Construction sites must make every effort to minimize their impact on the neighbourhood by scheduling less noisy and disruptive work during the extended hours, and must post signs on-site to that effect as soon as possible.
- Good Neighbour Construction guidelines remain in effect.
- The City expects the appropriate site personnel to manage all of the above issues and communicate the requirements to all trades workers employed by the developers.
Building plans examination is continuing, with a focus on existing in-stream applications. As of April 1 2020, the City is accepting new Building Permit submissions by paper or digitally for:
- Demolitions
- Minor Building Permits
- Minor Plumbing Permits
- Tenant Improvements
To determine if your application is eligible for a digital submission, please email the Building Permits Department.
For major Building and Plumbing Permit applications, please contact a Plans Reviewer to discuss prior to submission. See the section on digital and paper submission options for more information.
Inspections are continuing and inspectors are working remotely as much as possible. Applicants are encouraged to book their inspections online.
To ensure staff safety and appropriate physical distancing, we have implemented the following guidelines:
- No inspections are to be done on a home or building that is occupied
- We request that the area or floor of the building be cleared of all workers other than those essential for the inspection
- On large projects with a Construction Safety Officers (CSO’s) the City will require a copy of the site safety plan prior to attending
- If Inspection staff do not feel safe conducting an inspection, then they are to postpone the inspection until adequate measures are put in place. They are to document this and we will reschedule as appropriate.
- Owner and Contractor Screening Questionnaire and Checklist (PDF)
Customers registered in the EPLan program can continue as they have in the past. All EPlan documents will be delivered to customers via email.
Those not registered in the EPlan program are encouraged to arrange for digital application after speaking to their File Manager or the Building Front Counter Supervisor at 604-927-3962.
- Development application reviews are continuing, with a focus on existing in-stream applications.
- We are accepting drawing re-submissions digitally only. Applicants should email their file manager directly for information. At this time, we are unable to receive paper applications or drawings.
- New development applications can be submitted digitally via email to Planning and Development (if over 5M, see Digital Submissions).
- The application must be complete with all required information. An invoice will be issued for any fees. See the payment section for details).
The City encourages applicants to submit small documents digitally by emailing Planning and Development or your File Manager directly.
Files Over 5MB in Size
Submit through the City’s file transfer service, Coquitlam QFile:
- Enter either planninganddevelopment@coquitlam.ca or your file manager email’s address (if known) into Recipient Email field.
- Name the document with your PROJ Number or site address.
- Please compress/zip multiple files into one folder prior to sending.
To re-submit documents for the existing project, see our video tutorial.
Deliveries
When delivering or dropping off any letters or drawings to the Planning and Development Department, please clearly indicate on the front of the item:
- Name of staff person you are delivering to or the specific division (i.e. Building Permits, Development Planning or Development Servicing);
- Address of the property involved for your letter or drawing; and
- Project number (if applicable)
City Hall is currently open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and closed on all Statutory Holidays.
If you have items for drop-off you may come to City Hall. If you plan to drop off items after hours, you may use the City Hall drop box in the ground level parkade off of Burlington Drive. However, this drop box is only for small items.
Pick-ups
City Hall is currently open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and closed on all Statutory Holidays. Please ensure the person sent for pickup has a staff name as a reference for contact, an address for the property involved and / or project number.
- The Building Division can accept credit card payments over the phone: 604-927-3441.
- Development Planning cannot accept credit card payments at this time.
- Cheques can be mailed to City Hall or placed in the drop box in the ground-level parkade. Please note your application file number, address, and name of staff person.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Process
- Applicant submits development or building application.
- Staff emails an electronic invoice with the City’s EFT banking information.
- Applicant sends EFT payment through their financial institution.
- Email Accounts Receivable, (cc your file manager), noting the invoice amount, invoice number, name of payee, PROJ Number , and application address.
- Staff will finalize processing of the application. If you do no hear from any staff member within a week of your EFT transfer, please contact the file manager.
Building on My Property
The Building Permits Division is responsible for ensuring that buildings are healthy and safe for people. The Division is also available to provide education and assistance prior to building or making changes to your property.
Find important information on:
- Obtaining building permits and inspections
- Building and Construction Bulletins which are updates and advisories to help you interpret building, electrical, and trades’ bylaws, as well as City processes and regulations
- Zoning and Property Information
- Key City Bylaws related to building on your property
- Building a Secondary Suite
- Permit Fees (PDF)
Building Bylaw
The Building Bylaw regulates the construction, alteration, repair, demolition or moving of buildings and pools and the installation, alteration or repair of plumbing, sprinkler and heating and gas systems in the City of Coquitlam.
Noise Bylaw - Construction
Regular Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturdays – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Restricted Hours:
- Sunday and Holidays – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday and Holiday hours are permitted for not for profit construction only (such as a homeowner building a deck).
Owners and professional builders constructing new homes through BC Housing’s Licensing and Consumer Services are deemed to be working for profit or gain and are therefore prohibited from creating construction noise on Sundays and Holidays.
Hourly restrictions relate to loud work that is a nuisance to neighbours only.
Construction activities that take place quietly indoors and don’t disturb neighbours, such as painting or electrical installations, are permitted at any time.
Look over the Noise Regulation Bylaw for more information. Please visit our Good Neighbour Construction page for more details on these and other Good Neighbour Development practices and policies.
Types of Permits & Basic Requirements
The City of Coquitlam has several permits types:
- Major Projects — Commercial/industrial/institutional/multi-family
- Minor Projects — Residential
Development Permits — When you are building on any property, check if the property is within a Development Permit Area to determine if your type of construction requires a Development Permit.
What to Know When Building on Your Property
Property Lines & Infrastructure
You may be able to obtain a Form Survey from City Hall, (depending on the age of your house can purchase a Form Survey at the Building Permits Division counter at City Hall, if:
- You are a homeowners and can show proof of ownership
- Your are a realtors or prospective buyers, and can show a purchase agreement
View the records about your sanitary, storm or water service at the property line, at the Engineering and Public Works customer service counter at City Hall.
Legal Lot Documents
View legal lot plans, legal documents shown on the title of a property and property encumbrances such as Rights-of-Way and easements, at the Engineering and Public Works customer service counter at City Hall. You can not copy plans, duplicates can be obtained from the Land Title and Survey Authority of BC.
Land Title & Survey Authority of BC
New Westminster Land Title Office
Anvil Centre Office Tower
Suite 500 - 11 Eighth Street
New Westminster, BC, V3M 3N7
Phone: 604-630-9630
Toll Free Phone: 877-577-5872
Right of Way
A Right-of-Way is an allowance given by a private property owner to the municipality or government to enter onto their private property for a municipal purpose such as water, sewer, road access and other utility services. For more information, see our Guidelines for Rights-of-Way (PDF).
Covenant
A Covenant is an agreement between two parties that would normally put restrictions on land and its use.
Easement
An easement is an agreement between two private property owners whose properties adjoin; it grants access to each other’s property for a predetermined purpose. If an easement is required due to work being done through the City, we will assist you with the procedure. If the easement relates to a private arrangement between two neighbours, we recommend you consult a private lawyer.