Development Permits

If you own land within a Development Permit Area, you’re required to obtain a Development Permit prior to subdividing land, constructing or adding to a building or structure. The City's Official Community Plan (OCP) establishes four Development Permit Areas for:

  • Urban Design (form and character) 
  • Protection of watercourse areas
  • Protecting development from wildfire

  • Protecting development from hazardous slope conditions

Urban Design: Form and Character Development Permits

The Urban Design Development Permit  Area establishes objectives for the form and  character of residential, commercial and  industrial development in the City beyond  what is regulated in the City’s Zoning  Bylaw and the BC Building Code. 

All multi-unit residential, commercial, and industrial development requires a form and character development permit. Single-family dwellings do not require a form and character development permit.

Form and character development permits typically review: 

  • Exterior building design 
  • Landscaping 
  • Siting/placement of buildings and parking 
  • Building finishes and colours

For more information, please refer to:

Watercourse Protection Development Permits

The Watercourse Development Permit Area is established in Schedule G-1 of the Official Community Plan,

The Watercourse Protection Development Permit is required for:

  • 30 metres from watercourses for development west of Coqutilam River 
  • 50 metres from watercourses for development east of Coquitlam River

A Watercourse Protection Development Permit is required prior to developing, subdividing, constructing or altering land within the Watercourse Protection Development Permit Area. 

Wildfire Hazard Development Permits 

The Wildfire Development Permit Area is established in Schedule G-2 of the Official Community Plan. All development within the Wildfire DPA requires a Wildfire Hazard DP.

Unstable Slopes Development Permits

The Unstable Slopes Development Permit Area is established in Schedule G-3 of the Official Community Plan.

All development within the Steep Slope DPA requires a Wildfire Hazard DP.

Development Permit Amendments

A Development Permit amendment is required for any change to an authorized Development Permit including but not limited to change to approve design or use, added GFA, or conversion of space. Note for Strata developments – Proof of Strata Council approval with a notion from Strata Council is required. Please refer to:

Development Application Signs

If you are pursuing a Development Application, you are required to install a Development Application Sign at the development site. Please visit Development Application Signs.

Public Information Meetings

Developers may host public information meetings at the request of the Planning and Development Department or on their own initiative to:

  • Provide information about a proposed complex development project to the residents in the area
  • Obtain feedback so that issues and concerns can be identified and addressed early in the development application process

For guidelines on holding public information meetings, please refer to:

Additional Information

  1. Arborist Comfort Letter Form (PDF)
  2. Development Application - Drawing Details List (PDF)
  3. Development Application Applicant Acknowledgement and Agent Authorization Form (PDF)
  4. Development Application Form (PDF)
  5. Development Permit Guide (PDF)
  6. Good Neighbour Development (PDF)
  7. Good Neighbour Development Policy (PDF)
  8. Good Neighbour Development Policy Handout (PDF)