COQUITLAM, B.C., May 6, 2026 – The City of Coquitlam is proposing to modernize its high-density zones to continue delivering housing options near SkyTrain, align with new Provincial requirements and evolve the City's successful rental incentive program to support a growing community.
Coquitlam has long been a regional leader in housing delivery. However, changes to provincial legislation have altered how municipalities may guide new growth and support community needs, including how rental and affordable housing is encouraged.
Why Changes Are Needed
Provincial legislation introduced new rules around density, particularly in transit-oriented areas, and changed how municipalities can use tools like density bonus to encourage affordable housing. These provincial changes require Coquitlam to update its zoning bylaw by June 30, 2026.
The City’s current rental incentive program has been successful – with nearly 10,000 market rental units and more than 3,000 below-market or non-market homes approved since 2018. The updated zoning approach is designed to carry that track record forward under the new rules.
What’s Changing?
The City is proposing to replace existing high-density zones with four new zones:
- RA-3 High-Density Residential
- MU-2 High-Density Mixed-Use
- MU-3 Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use
- MU-4 Urban Centre Mixed-Use
These new zones are designed to align with provincial requirements and continue to encourage the development of dedicated rental and affordable housing in high-density developments.
The proposed approach is designed to:
- Continue to achieve funding for growth-related infrastructure and community amenities
- Continue to deliver rental housing at levels similar to the previous system
- Support development viability across market cycles
- Provide clear and consistent rules for applicants and the public
Supporting More Housing Options
The updated zones will continue to encourage purpose-built rental housing, which provides more stable, long-term housing options compared to secondary suites or individually owned rental units.
Developers can continue to access additional density in exchange for providing secured rental housing, maintaining a key incentive that has supported diverse housing in Coquitlam.
Developers will still be required to contribute to affordable housing when accessing bonus density – either by building below-market rental or non-market housing units or contributing cash-in-lieu to the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve Fund – which supports non-market housing projects across Coquitlam.
The City will continue to collect funds from development to support roads, utilities, parks and community amenities, helping services keep up with population growth.
Have Your Say
The City is inviting feedback on the proposed changes. While some of these changes are required by provincial legislation, there is an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide feedback before May 20, 2026. Input will help refine the zoning approach before it is brought forward to Council for consideration.
Learn more and share your feedback at LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/HighDensity.
Media contact:
Renée de St. Croix
Director Urban Planning and Design
604-927-3430
devinfo@coquitlam.ca
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.