Please note: In late 2023 and spring 2024, the Province introduced housing-related legislative changes that require the City to rewrite municipal rules around zoning, development, fees and charges, and public engagement. Visit Housing Changes in Coquitlam for more information.
The Zoning Bylaw permits a range of small-scale, ground-oriented housing options in lower-density neighbourhoods throughout the city. This includes a range of options including single-detached houses, backyard suites, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and multiplexes.
These pages are for property owners who are interested in building either a triplex or a fourplex in areas where small-scale housing is allowed, including the R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 zones. See the following web pages to check whether your property qualifies.
This information is intended to be a resource to get you started, to direct you to where to find more information, and to highlight some things to think about as you plan to build a triplex or fourplex on your property:
Below are questions to determine if your property is in a low-density residential area (which allows triplexes and fourplexes) and if your property meets the minimum size criteria.
To take advantage of small-scale housing you need to answer YES to ALL the following questions:
Before you start, if you answer YES to any of the following questions, please contact Development Services staff for more information:
To simplify the Development Permit process, the City of Coquitlam developed Standard Plans for triplexes and fourplexes for the public to use and modify to fit their property’s size and slope. Using a standard plan package, which is an approved design, your hired professionals can put together a triplex or fourplex Development Permit application package quicker. This will also result in a faster and more predictable staff review. See the Standard Plans Development Application Process handout (PDF) for more details.
If your property is not rectangular, is on a corner, does not have current or future lane access per Schedule R (PDF) of the Zoning Bylaw, or you wish to use your own design, please see our RT-1 Development Application Process handout (PDF).
Explore our catalogue of Standard Plan Packages that vary in style and find one that meets your needs and property.
The Standard Plans need to be adjusted by your designer or architect to fit your property (e.g. slope, garbage pick-up location, existing trees, utility servicing requirements, etc.). The standard plans have been created with Coquitlam’s sloping properties in mind; with the individual units able to be adjusted independently from the other units, to build as close as possible to match the existing grade of your property. Your designer or architect may also want to consider EV charging capability and BC Energy Step Code Level 3 eligibility.
Your designer or architect will need to adjust the plan package for your property, including:
As the intent of the Standard Plans is to simplify the Development Permit process, the interior layout must remain substantially the same and the exterior appearance and materials (including window and door sizes and specifications, fence details, landscaping details) are not permitted to be changed if you wish to participate in the simplified Standard Plan process. If the interior layout is substantially altered or the exterior appearance of the building is changed, the application must follow the normal Development Permit design review process which may add to the review time and require further revision cycles.
If you are interested in using one of the Standard Plans packages, contact the Development Information Team with the option you want to use and a copy of a current (within one year) topographic survey. The Development Information Team can be reached by emailing, calling 604-927-3430, or in-person at City Hall. Staff will reply with the estimated elevations to be followed along the road frontage(s), a copy of the appropriate CAD drawings, and further instructions.
Before you can apply for a Building Permit to build your proposed triplex or fourplex you need to receive a number of approvals from the City.
You may also need:
More information is available on our Builder Resources page or in our Development Permit Application Guide (PDF), which outlines the process for obtaining a Development Permit.
For more information on using the City’s standard plans, read our Standard Plan Development Application Process handout (PDF). If you are using a custom design, please read our RT-1 Development Application Process handout (PDF).
You will need to hire professionals to help you as part of your project team to work with you on different pieces of your application. We have included links to websites of professional organizations, where possible. This is a high level list of some of the professionals you may require, and examples of work they can provide.
It is important that you talk to professionals about creating a budget for your Housing Choices project. There may be other costs associated with your development that are not outlined here, and you will need to ensure you have created an appropriate project budget.
Aside from the hiring of professionals required to complete your application(s), and the construction crews required to work on the development, here are some (but not all) of the items that have financial implications. These fees, charges, and securities are required at different times during your development process and City staff will be able to let you know when these would be payable, and which would be applicable to your project.
Application Fees (See the Fees and Charges page) are associated with:
All new developments contribute to upgrading adjacent streetscapes to a modern urban standard, including curbs, gutters, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping and rear lane improvements. These upgraded street works are called “Frontage Works”. You will be required to either pay into the Frontage Works Program (staff will confirm if you’re eligible through the application process) or construct the Frontage Works as part of your project. Your Civil Engineer can provide you with a cost estimate for these works. The Engineering & Public Works Fees and Charges listing in Schedule F of the Fees and Charges Bylaw (PDF) can be helpful to estimate the costs. Costs may be associated with the following:
Refundable securities will need to be provided to the City to complete specific works. Some of these securities may include:
These deposits are refunded once City staff are satisfied that the work has been completed and maintained after a set period of time.
Before a Building Permit is issued, City Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) payments are due. ACCs help pay for amenities including community centres, recreation facilities and libraries, which are needed to serve the community due to growth.
Before a Building Permit is issued, City Development Cost Charge (DCC) payments are due. DCCs help pay for transportation, water, sewer, drainage, park acquisition and some park development projects which are needed to serve the community due to growth.
In addition to the City’s DCCs, other agencies have development charges that we collect on their behalf at the time of issuing a Building Permit. These charges are subject to change and may increase during the time you are in application with the City. Check with Development Planning to confirm the rates which would be in effect.
Links to information on these various charges are listed below can be found at the City’s Fees and Charges page:
In addition to the designing your project to meet the Design Guidelines (PDF) as part of your Development Permit Application package, your project must meet all other City Bylaw requirements, including the requirements set out in the Zoning Bylaw.
Some helpful Zoning Bylaw links include:
Other considerations:
The building and site improvements proposed for your property should not impact your neighbour’s property. We would prefer your project be designed with no retaining walls, however, minimum stepped retaining is allowed (see the Zoning Bylaw, Maximum Retaining Wall Height Section 516 (PDF)).
All submitted plans should show the existing and proposed elevations, at all changes in grade, and the existing elevations at least 1 metre beyond the property lines of the site proposed to be developed.
Garbage and green waste carts and must be stored in a garage or in a structure that is fully enclosed (with a roof) in order to be wildlife resistant. Enclosures must be designed so that there are no gaps which may give entry to wildlife (for example, no lattice). Each triplex or fourplex unit will be provided one 240L size cart for organic waste, one 240L size cart for garbage, a blue recycling box, and a glass recycling box. See the Waste Collection Brochure (PDF) for information on the number, size and enclosure requirements for solid waste carts.
You should discuss your hydro requirements with BC Hydro. If there is a requirement from BC Hydro to install a Local Pad Transformer (LPT), the City prefers it to be located away from the front of the building and screened with appropriate landscaping. An electrical room may also be required in the building design.
On September 3, 2019, Council endorsed the Good Neighbour Development Policy. Please review this policy and ensure that you understand what this means for you as a developer. Note that, at this time, no declaration is needed as part of this application. However, a declaration will be needed before the City will issue a Building Permit or Demolition Permit.