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. Development Permit Areas have been established under the Citywide Official Community Plan, for:

  • Commercial
  • Industrial development
  • Intensive residential (e.g. duplex, triplex, fourplex)
  • Multi-family (townhouse, rowhouse, apartment)
  • Protection of watercourse areas
  • Protection of development from hazardous conditions (e.g., steep slopes)

Form and Character Development Permits

Form and character development permits are typically required for:

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

    For more information, please refer to:

Single-family dwellings do not require a form and character development permit.

Form and Character Development Permits

Form and character development permits typically review proposed developments for exterior building design, landscaping, siting/placement of buildings and parking, and building finishes and colours. Development Permit Areas have been established in several areas of the City under the Citywide Official Community Plan.

Owners of land within a Development Permit Area are required to obtain a Development Permit prior to subdividing land, constructing or adding to a building or structure. Single-family dwellings do not require a form and character development permit.

Watercourse Protection Development Permits

Watercourse Protection Development Permit Areas have been established within:

  • Northeast Coquitlam for all areas within 50 metres of the top of bank of any watercourse
  • City Centre Area Plan, Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan, Austin Heights Neighbourhood Plan, and Maillardville Neighbourhood Plan within 30 metres of the top of bank or top of the ravine bank of a watercourse

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

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. Development Application - Drawing Details List (PDF)
  2. Development Application Applicant Acknowledgement and Agent Authorization Form (PDF)
  3. Development Application Form (PDF)
  4. Development Permit Guide (PDF)
  5. Good Neighbour Development (PDF)
  6. Good Neighbour Development Policy (PDF)
  7. Good Neighbour Development Policy Handout (PDF)
  8. Guide to Best Site Development Practises (PDF)