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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
Building plans examination is continuing, with a focus on existing in-stream applications. As of April 1, the City is accepting new Building Permit submissions by paper or digitally for:
For major Building and Plumbing Permit applications, please contact your File Manager 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:
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.
The City encourages applicants to submit small documents digitally by emailing Planning and Development or your File Manager directly.
Submit through the City’s file transfer service, Coquitlam QFile:
To re-submit documents for the existing project, see our video tutorial.
When delivering or dropping off any letters or drawings to the Planning and Development Department, please clearly indicate on the front of the item:
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.
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 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:
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.
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.
The City of Coquitlam has several permits types:
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.
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:
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.
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
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).
A Covenant is an agreement between two parties that would normally put restrictions on land and its use.
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.