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Building & Construction
Types of Permits
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. Contact the Planning and Development Department at 604-927-3430 for more information.
Building Permit Applications
To make a minor project building permit application, please attend the building permit Division’s front counter no later than 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (except holidays).
For major project building permit applications (including large tenant improvement and mechanical applications), please contact your Building Permit File Manager ("BP File Manager") to make an appointment. You may ask your Planner (from your Development Permit) to provide you with the name of your BP File Manager.
If you do not have a BP File Manager, please contact permits@coquitlam.ca.
Summaries of building permit applications currently under review, updated monthly, are available at the links below. Please note the information is provided for convenience only.
- Current Multiple Family, Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Building Permit Applications (PDF): A list of multiple family and non-residential applications for new construction only. A brief description and the status of each project is included.
- Current Single and Two Family Residential Building Permit Applications (PDF): A list of one- and two-family residential building permit applications. New building construction, additions and renovations are included.
Additional Information
For more information on development applications, please refer to the How Development Happens page on our website.
QFile File Transfer
Files Over 5MB in Size - For Minor Tenant Improvement Building Permit Applications Only
The City of Coquitlam is currently accepting QFile applications for minor tenant improvement building permits only. All other building permit applications need to be made in person at the Building Permits Division front counter Monday to Friday (except holidays). Please see the Types of Permits and Basic Requirements section above for information on application timeframes.
To submit your minor tenant improvement application through the City’s file transfer service, Coquitlam QFile:
- Enter either permits@coquitlam.ca or your file manager email’s address (if known) into Recipient Email field.
- Name the document with your 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
Please note, the Building Permits Division does not permit applications to be couriered or mailed in. The only digital submissions permitted are for minor tenant improvement applications. All other applications must be made in person.
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 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on all Statutory Holidays. Please note, the city requires the property owner to authorize another individual to pick up items on their behalf. Please ensure the person sent for pick up brings a:
- completed Agent Authorization Form (PDF) for Permit Application or File Access,
- staff name as a reference for contact;
- address for the property involved; and/or
- project number.
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.
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 Guides 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).
- Holiday schedule for 2023:
- New Year's Day Sunday, Jan. 1
- Family Day Monday, Feb. 20
- Good Friday Friday, April 7
- Easter Monday Monday, April 10
- Victoria Day Monday, May 22
- Canada Day Saturday, July 1
- BC Day Monday, Aug. 7
- Labour Day Monday, Sept. 4
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Saturday, Sept. 30
- Thanksgiving Day Monday, Oct. 9
- Remembrance Day Saturday, Nov. 11
- Christmas Day Monday, Dec. 25
- Boxing Day Tuesday, Dec. 26
- New Year's Day 2024 Monday, Jan. 1 2024
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.
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.
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Application Forms and Checklists
Here you can access Building and Construction Application Forms and Checklists.
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Building & Construction Guides
Here you will find Guides and Brochures on many Building and Construction topics.
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Building & Plumbing Inspections
Building Inspections assist the homeowner or builder in constructing a building that meets current structural, health, security and fire protection safety standards.
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Demolition Permits
The most common demolition application is the removal of a single-family home prior to the construction of a new, replacement home. However, demolition permits are required for all building types.
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Development Permits & Applications
Get information on development permits and applications.
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Energy Step Code
The BC Energy Step Code is a performance-based standard that establishes measurable requirements for energy efficiency in construction.
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Good Neighbour Construction
Redevelopment in an existing neighbourhood can bring many benefits to the community.
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Infrastructure Projects
Coquitlam has invested in modern infrastructure that continues to pave the way for residential, commercial/retail and industrial growth.
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Inspections
Our 24/7 online inspections system enables you to schedule your building and/or plumbing inspection(s) using your computer or mobile phone.
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Major Projects
Major Project or "complex" buildings fall primarily within the scope of Part 3 of the BC Building Code.
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Minor Projects
Minor projects generally fall within the scope of Part 9 of the BC Building Code.
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Mechanical
All mechanical equipment creates noise, and while manufacturers strive to improve efficiency and reduce noise levels, from time to time this equipment may be disruptive in residential areas. Therefore, it is important that exterior mechanical equipment is located in areas that have minimal impact on the quality of life of all residents.
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Other Permits
Find information about other types of permits, including instructions for obtaining one.
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Plumbing Permits
Take a look at information about plumbing permits.
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Secondary Suites
Like all housing, secondary suites must be regulated.
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Tenant Improvements
A Tenant Improvement Permit is required for any new construction or the proposed alteration of an existing building.
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Utility Services
Home construction or demolition can impact municipal services such as storm, sanitary and water.