Frequently Asked Questions

Transit-Oriented Areas are defined as areas within 800 metres of a rapid-transit station (e.g., SkyTrain station) and 400 metres of a bus exchange (e.g. bus loop at Coquitlam Central Station) and West Coast Express station.

According to the Province, the following densities and heights are intended for residential buildings and mixed-used residential buildings in Transit-Oriented Areas within Metro Vancouver:
 

The City Centre Area Plan and Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan guide the development of mixed-use, pedestrian friendly, transit-oriented communities. Both plans support a range of uses and densities, with higher densities clustered around SkyTrain stations, while accounting for local factors like neighbourhood and block layout, historic development patterns, transportation access, terrain, and environmental considerations.

New provincial rules for Transit-Oriented Areas set building height and density allowances based mainly on how close a property is to a SkyTrain station, without considering local context. This affects areas where, due to local conditions, City plans allowed only low-density housing – like single-family homes or townhouses – which must now permit apartment buildings.

(Updated August 2025)

Contrary to the City’s current standards, the City will not be able to require minimum residential off-street parking spaces, except for accessible parking for disabled persons, for buildings within Transit-Oriented Areas. The Province has stated they want parking volumes to be determined by market need and demand. These restrictions do not apply to commercial off-street parking requirements.

No. In Coquitlam, all lands currently zoned for residential uses or mixed uses (including residential) that are located within 800 metres of a SkyTrain station must be designated as a Transit-Oriented Area and the minimum densities and building heights that apply to those lands are prescribed by provincial regulation. Transit-Oriented Area exceptions include lands zoned to permit industrial and agricultural uses.

In addition, there are several scenarios where Federal or Provincial statutes are applicable, the provisions of which supersede or have a limiting effect:

• Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)
• Airport Zoning Regulations under Aeronautics Act
• Federal Crown land
• Flood plains, hazard areas, riparian areas and other environmentally sensitive areas
• Heritage objects and sites that are subject to heritage designation or heritage revitalization agreements

Please also see the responses to Questions 1 and 2.

The City is not required to “pre-zone” properties for the purpose of fulfilling the obligations of the legislation. However, certain properties within Transit-Oriented Areas may be rezoned or “pre-zoned” as a direct or indirect result of other provincial housing initiatives.

The legislation prescribes minimum allowable densities (expressed in Floor Area Ratio), and heights (expressed in number of storeys) and removes required minimum residential parking rates. The City is not required to make any further changes to zoning regulations; however, further changes may be contemplated in the course of implementing the legislation. In addition, requirements may vary by zone and Transit-Oriented Areas. 

Please also see the responses to Questions 2 and 4 and refer to the Zoning Bylaw for current zoning regulations.

No, station locations are set in provincial regulation with specific geographic coordinates, and boundaries are established as specific distances from each station location. The mandatory densities and heights only apply to the properties within the tiers prescribed by the Province. The prohibition on residential parking minimums applies only to those properties located within a Transit-Oriented Area as laid out by the Province. Also see the response to Question 5.

Yes, properties inside and outside a Transit-Oriented Area can assemble. If a property outside a Transit-Oriented Area is consolidated with a property inside a Transit-Oriented Area, the City is required to apply the minimum densities, heights and removal of residential parking minimums prescribed by the Province.

Answer Updated July 2025

This City is not required to permit Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) development. (i.e. 3 to 6 units on a lot) on properties located within a Transit-Oriented Area. In addition, the City cannot permit a rezoning on a property in a Transit-Oriented Area where the rezoning does not comply with the minimum allowable densities and heights. While new zoning for SSMUH was implemented in June 2025, properties within Transit-Oriented Areas retained their existing zoning.

Answer Updated July 2025

In mid-2024, the City adopted a bylaw designating Transit-Oriented Areas, and removed residential parking minimums from Transit-Oriented Areas in mid-2024. Updates to align the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw are being completed in stages.

Zone updates must consider revisions to the density bonus and rental incentives program and need to be aligned with the DCC program update and new ACC program. The zone updates will be completed in coordination with the Rental Incentives Program Review.

Zone updates will determine the new density allocations within the minimum allowable densities (i.e. tenure and commercial requirements). This may include provisions for the regulation of tenure through the City’s Rental Incentive Program Review to ensure housing needs are considered in new housing supply.

Answer Updated July 2025

The Transit-Oriented Area regulations do not require landowners to sell or redevelop their property. Land development in Coquitlam is initiated by land owners choosing to sell their property to a developer, who submits development applications to the City.

Building multi-family housing like townhouses or apartments often requires assembling smaller lots into a larger, usable site. These land assemblies must be practical, consider future streets, lanes and walkways, and not leave behind properties that are too small to redevelop to their designated potential.

Should you have questions about selling your property, you are encouraged to seek independent advice from a qualified real estate professional. Should you have questions about redeveloping your property, please reach out to Planning and Development by email.

Land use designation – describes the existing or future uses and building types a property can have (e.g., commercial, residential, etc.) and are found in the Official Community Plan. Changing the land use designation does not automatically change the zoning.

Zoning – specifies permitted uses, lot sizes, and other regulations, such as the height, setbacks and density of buildings. All land in the City is assigned a zone under the City’s Zoning Bylaw. A zoning change (i.e., rezoning) must be consistent with the land use designation in the Official Community Plan.

Use the Proposed Land Uses map on this website to locate your property relative to the Transit-Oriented Areas and proposed land use designations. Please note that there are separate maps showing the Transit-Oriented Areas and Southwest Shoulders and Corridors.

For further assistance, please contact Development Services by email, or by phone: 604-927-3430.

Both park enhancements and park expansions involve adding or upgrading park features (such as play equipment, sport courts and fields). A park expansion will also include land acquisition to increase the size of the park.

Land needed to create a new park, or expand an existing park, will be designated “Parks and Recreation” in the Official Community Plan. The land use designation indicates the intended future use, but does not prevent the current use from continuing – usually a private residence.

The City will acquire the land over time, as funding permits, based on priority and as properties become available for purchase. The City purchases park properties based on fair market value, and generally obtains an independent third party appraisal for review. For additional details, please visit: https://www.coquitlam.ca/567/City-Lands-and-Real-Estate.

Development is primarily responsible for the cost of new infrastructure and amenities needed to serve the growth in population. This includes funds to acquire parkland and develop parks, which the City collects through development fees.

Community plans may identify new streets and walkways that are needed to support future growth. These are built when the property redevelops, and are funded and constructed by the developer. Until redevelopment happens, property owners are not required to sell or modify their land, and can continue to use it as they do today.

Building multi-family housing like townhouses or apartments often requires assembling smaller lots into a larger, usable site. These land assemblies must be practical and not leave behind properties that are too small to redevelop to their designated potential — including those needed for future streets and walkways.

See also the response to “Am I required to redevelop or sell my property?”