With a new deadline of June 30, 2025 now confirmed by the Province, Coquitlam is moving forward with careful planning to support future small-scale housing development and ensure essential infrastructure is in place to meet the community’s needs.
COQUITLAM, B.C., September 19, 2024 – With a new deadline of June 30, 2025 now confirmed by the Province, Coquitlam is moving forward with careful planning to support future small-scale housing development and ensure essential infrastructure is in place to meet the community’s needs.
Taking a Strategic Approach to Growth and Infrastructure
As Coquitlam continues to implement provincial housing changes, the City remains focused on balancing new housing development with sustainable community planning and sound financial governance.
The extended deadline to implement the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing regulations provides Coquitlam the time needed to update key bylaws, such as the Zoning Bylaw, in a way that supports housing growth while addressing servicing needs and reducing the risk of overloading existing systems. Coordinating these updates will ensure new housing is introduced without compromising vital community infrastructure.
Working towards the June 2025 deadline, Coquitlam will:
- Review and plan for utility needs, so that new small-scale housing doesn't overburden existing water, sewer and other services, and we know what and where new upgrades are needed.
- Reduce the risk of overloading current infrastructure by coordinating new housing with necessary upgrades and requirements for developers, especially in areas already experiencing challenges.
- Conduct studies on servicing and transportation systems to guide future improvements and funding decisions.
- Complete important projects already in progress, like replacing the water main in Chineside and improving drainage at Goodyear Creek, before building new housing in those areas.
- Update all related rules and regulations in a coordinated way so that all rules and processes work together.
- Streamline the planning process, so that City policies support more housing options and make it easier to create diverse housing in Coquitlam.
Understanding Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing in Coquitlam
The provincial housing changes mean most properties currently zoned for single-family homes will allow up to four units, including duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, secondary suites, carriage houses, or garden cottages.
These changes will affect about 25,000 properties across Coquitlam. However, property owners will not be able to proceed with these developments until the City completes its studies and updates the necessary bylaws and regulations, which are required by June 30, 2025. Visit LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/SmallScale to learn more.
Attend Upcoming Information Sessions
Coquitlam residents are invited to attend one of two drop-in style information sessions where they can view information materials, speak to City staff, and ask questions about the provincial housing legislation, its potential effects on local neighbourhoods and future development.
- Thursday, October 3, 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: Town Centre Park Community Centre, 1207 Pinetree Way - Wednesday, October 9, 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: Coquitlam Bettie Allard YMCA, 555 Emerson Street
Both venues are accessible and located near SkyTrain and transit stops, with on-site parking available.
Presentation materials from the information sessions will be posted to LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/ProvincialHousingChanges as of Friday, October 4, along with an email contact for anyone wishing to provide feedback.
Stay Updated on Coquitlam’s Work to Support Housing Changes
The City’s work to implement the provincial housing legislation is ongoing, with many changes still to come.
Earlier this year, Coquitlam hosted an “Ask Us Anything” event on social media to receive community questions on the provincial housing legislation changes. A list of frequently asked questions from the event and other sources is available at LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/ProvincialHousingChanges.
The City has also established a number of different ways for our community to access information and receive updates:
- Visit LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/SmallScale for detailed information and updates.
- Sign up for the Coquitlam Current email updates at coquitlam.ca/eNews.
- Follow @CityOfCoquitlam on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Media contact:
Renée De St. Croix
Director Urban Planning and Design
DevInfo@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3430
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.