Coquitlam, Metro Vancouver
Renovations and builds in Coquitlam
Coquitlam caps small-scale housing at four units per lot and asks owners near creeks or slopes to contact staff before they start. We renovate homes and build suites here, starting with a free quote.
Coquitlam · Metro Vancouver
Free written quotes
After a site visit, with what is fixed and what is an allowance.
One contract
One point of contact, from quote to final walkthrough.
Licensed trade partners
Electrical, plumbing and gas, under our management.
Victoria to the Lower Mainland
Greater Victoria, up-Island and Metro Vancouver.
Coquitlam’s housing
Coquitlam had 148,625 people and 55,945 occupied homes in the 2021 Census. Single-detached houses are the largest group at 35.2%, followed by semi-detached, row houses and duplexes at 28.2%. Apartments make up 36.2%.
Most homes are from 1981 on: 36.2% were built from 1981 to 2000 and 34.2% from 2001 to 2021. Only 6.1% date from 1960 or before. If your house was built before 1945, you must contact the City before you use the small-scale housing rules on your lot.
- 35.2% single-detached houses
- 28.2% semi-detached, row and duplex homes
- 15.0% apartments of five storeys or more
- 36.2% built 1981 to 2000
- 6.1% built in 1960 or before
Coquitlam rules for units, suites and trees
Council adopted small-scale housing zoning on June 9, 2025, with more amendments on June 23, 2025, covering zones R-1 to R-4. Lots of 280 m² or less allow up to 3 units and lots from 280 m² to one acre up to 4. The provincial 6-unit option does not apply, because no bus stop in Coquitlam qualifies. You need a fire-flow form with the building permit.
Before you use those rights, email Development Services if a creek or a steep slope is on or next to your property, or if the house was built before 1945.
New houses must meet Energy Step Code Step 3. The City’s step code page lists no Zero Carbon Step Code level, so as of October 2026, confirm the current requirement with the City.
Coquitlam’s Tree Management Bylaw 4091 lets homeowners remove a limited number of protected-size trees each year without a permit, outside specialized or sensitive areas. Confirm the current allowance with the City before you cut.
- Up to 3 units on lots of 280 m² or less
- Up to 4 units on lots from 280 m² to one acre
- No 6-unit option in Coquitlam
- Fire-flow form required with the building permit
- Contact staff first: creek, steep slope or pre-1945 house
Building permits: City of Coquitlam: building and construction
Neighbourhoods we cover in Coquitlam
- Austin Heights
- Burquitlam-Lougheed
- City Centre
- Hyde Creek
- Maillardville
- Burke Mountain
No bus stop in Coquitlam qualifies for the provincial six-unit rule, so small-scale housing tops out at four units per lot.
Creeks and slopes
Coquitlam’s small-scale housing page treats creeks and steep slopes as reasons to talk to staff before you plan. That applies to lots on or next to either one, so check your lot before you design an addition, a suite or extra units. Maillardville and Burke Mountain each have their own neighbourhood plans.
Coquitlam: common questions
Sources
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile: Coquitlam, City (CY) · City of Coquitlam: Building and construction · City of Coquitlam: Small-scale housing · City of Coquitlam: Energy Step Code · City of Coquitlam: Tree management FAQ · City of Coquitlam: Schedule J, neighbourhood plans · City of Coquitlam: Northwest Burke Vision. Checked 2026-10-30.
Services
What we build in Coquitlam
More of Metro Vancouver · How we run a job
Home additions
Rear additions, second storeys and bump-outs, and the BC rule that can make one a new home.
Electrical
Panel and service upgrades, rewiring, EV chargers, lighting and new circuits, by licensed electricians.
Kitchen renovations
Layouts, cabinets, counters, and the plumbing and wiring moves that come with them.
Accessibility renovations
Walk-in showers, grab bars, ramps and wider doors so you can stay in your own home.
Free quotes
Planning a Coquitlam project?
Tell us what you want done and your neighbourhood. We’ll email you to confirm your free quote visit.