Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing in Coquitlam

What Are the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Changes?

The B.C. Government enacted legislation requiring the City to enable small-scale multi-unit housing. This type of housing includes a variety of options that are typically designed to fit within existing single-family and duplex neighbourhoods.

Examples include:

  • Duplexes
  • Triplexes
  • Fourplexes
  • Secondary suites
  • Carriage houses or laneway homes
  • Garden cottages

New Provincial Requirements

To comply with the legislation, the City must allow the following:

  • Up to 3 units on lots of 280 m² (3,014 sq. ft.) in area or smaller
  • Up to 4 units on lots larger than 280 m² (3,014 sq. ft.) in area but less than 4,050 m² (1 acre)

Currently, Coquitlam has no bus stops that meet the provincial criteria for frequent service. As a result, provincial requirements to allow up to 6 units on lots near frequent service bus stops does not apply at this time.

Small-Scale Housing in Coquitlam

On June 9, 2025, Council adopted Zoning Bylaw changes to bring into effect Provincial legislation around Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing. This web page provides information about the new Small-Scale Housing option. Additional background and information can be found on the June 9, 2025 Report to Council (PDF). On June 23, 2025 Council adopted various Bylaw amendments to support Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing implementation. View the June 23, 2025 Report to Council (PDF). 

Providing housing choice is important to address the range of housing needs in Coquitlam. Since 2011, the Housing Choices program in Southwest Coquitlam has encouraged diverse housing options through infill development. The program, now referred to as Small-Scale Housing, has been expanded, with ground-oriented, multi-unit housing options permitted in most low-density residential areas across the city. 

Small-Scale Housing can take many shapes and forms, including single-detached dwellings, accessory dwelling units such as secondary suites, garden cottages, and carriage houses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and multiplexes. For simplicity, the City defines all of these housing types as Small-Scale Residential. 

Properties with low-density residential land use designations in the Official Community Plan may be eligible for small-scale housing. Please see the Official Community Plan for applicable policies. Small-scale housing is permitted under the following zones in the Zoning Bylaw:

  • R-1 Small-Scale Residential
  • R-2 Compact Small-Scale Residential
  • R-3 Transitional Small-Scale Residential
  • R-4 Intensive Small-Scale Residential 

To determine the land use designation and current zoning for your property, use QtheMap. If it’s your first time using QtheMap, please consult the How-to-Guide (PDF).

Considering a Small-Scale Housing development on your property? First contact Development Services staff by email if any of the following applies to you:

  1. Was the existing house on my property built before 1945?
  2. Is there a creek on, or next to, my property?
  3. Is there a steep slope on, or next to, my property?
  4. Is my property located in a Transit-Oriented Area or another planning study area?

Fire Flows – Ensuring Enough Water for Fire Protection

Whenever new Small-Scale Housing is built, Coquitlam needs to make sure there's enough water available for firefighters in case of an emergency. This is known as fire flow – the amount of water needed to control or put out a fire, at the right pressure.

For more general information about water and fire flow in your area, check out the City’s Available Fire Flow Map.

Small-Scale Residential Stormwater Management

Coquitlam uses an integrated stormwater management approach to manage rainwater that runs off rooftops, driveways and other hard surfaces to prevent flooding, protect property and keep local creeks and ecosystems healthy. For more information please visit our Small-Scale Residential Stormwater Management webpage.

More Information and Background Document