Building Projects - Homeowner/Residential

All permit applications can be submitted online. Applicants can apply any time, upload required documents and pay fees for eligible permits. Submitting online is the fastest way to get your application to the City.

Learn more about submitting your application electronically by visiting our Permit Application Review page.

Or 

Applications can be submitted in-person at the Building Permit counter located at City Hall. In-person submissions are accepted Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.

• Complete a Permit Application Form (PDF) in full.
• Include applicable checklist(s) in the application package:
  • Demolition Permit Checklist (PDF)
  • Residential Single Family / Two Family Building Permit Checklist (PDF)
  • Plumbing Permit Checklist (PDF)
• Provide drawings of the proposed work. You will need to demonstrate compliance with any Development agreements that apply to your project.
• Pay application fee
• The Plans Examiner reviews the plans for compliance with the Building Code and forwards their comments to the applicant.
• In parallel with this review the application is referred to other City Departments whose interests are affected by the proposed work. A consolidation of the various departments’ comments is then forwarded to you.
• Provide supplemental documentation identified and requested by the Plans Examiner during their review
• Pick up plans after plan review has been satisfactorily completed and pay the permit fee outstanding balance.

We continue to accept permit applications in person at the building permit counter at City Hall. Permits can be submitted from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Statutory Holidays.

• Complete a Permit Application Form (PDF) in full. 
• Include applicable checklist(s) in the application package:
  • Demolition Permit Checklist (PDF)
  • Residential Single Family / Two Family Building Permit Checklist (PDF) 
  • Plumbing Permit Checklist (PDF)
• Provide drawings of the proposed work
• Pay application fee
• The Plans Examiner reviews the plans and forwards his comments to you
• Provide supplemental documentation identified and requested by the Plans Examiner in the course of their review
• Pick up plans after plan check and pay balance of permit
• Call for inspections at appropriate stages of construction
• An Occupancy Permit is granted once the work has achieved a successful Final Inspection and all other departmental processes are complete.

For aged buildings (30 years or older), the City of Coquitlam has implemented procedures to ensure all building activities within the City are undertaken in a safe, reasonable and sustainable manner to ensure the safety of workers and the public. It is the responsibility of the building owner and employer to ensure all asbestos containing materials are inventoried and risk assessments completed. Visit WorkSafe BC Health-Safety Hazards-Exposures - Asbestos for more information on the hazards of asbestos. For more information, please refer to our Aged Buildings (30 Years or Older) Renovations, Additions and Restorations Guide.

• The zoning of your property to ensure your intended use is permitted.
• The regulations in that zone include setbacks, site coverage, and height.
• The age, location and depth of services to your property, such as water, sanitary sewer and drainage.
• If you are proposing to change the location and/or width of your driveway, you will require permission from the City Engineering and Public Works Department.
• The restrictions on your Land Title such as covenants, rights-of-way and easements.
• Restrictions that may apply to tree removal or vegetation/habitat sensitive environments.
• It is recommended that you review the Good Neighbor Construction brochure to avoid violating other municipal bylaws and complaints from neighbors.
• Building permits are required for all new construction, temporary buildings and alterations to existing construction.
  • Always review your building requirements with City staff before starting a project. The cost of building permits depends on the nature and scope of the work being done. Did You Know

Did You Know

For the purposes of permitting, structures such as towers, retaining walls over 1.2 meters in height and storage tanks are considered buildings. Building permits are not required for storage or garden shed structures under 10 square meters in area, however they must comply with the setbacks stipulated in the Zoning Bylaw.

The average processing time to the first review of a residential permit application is typically 15–20 business days, though timelines may vary based on application volumes.

• All plans and information submitted must be legible and of suitable quality for scanning.
• Drawings shall be submitted on sheets no smaller than 11 inches  by  17 inches  or larger than 30 inches  by  42 inches.
• Drawing packages must include:
  • Construction details
  • Cross sections
  • Elevations
  • Floor and roof plans
  • Foundation
  • Property servicing details
  • Site plan
• Single line drawings are acceptable for site plans only. All wall systems shall be a double line standard.
• Drawings and surveys will be accepted in Imperial or metric scale but only one convention may be used throughout the package.
• Drawings must include:
  • Designer’s name
  • Email address and telephone number
  • North arrow (if applicable)
  • Project civic address
  • Sheet number sequence and scale
• All drawings shall be in black line. Red is reserved for City notation only.
• Drawings shall not be laminated or contain taped or pasted annotations.
• Annotations must be accompanied by owner/agent initials and must be dated. (Structural changes to be initialed and dated by Engineer only).

Please refer the Building Permit Checklist (PDF) or refer to the Specification Bulletins below, for detailed drawing submission specifications:

• Detached Building Drawing Requirements
• Outdoor Deck Drawing Requirements
• Secondary Suite and Basement Finish Drawing Requirements
• Single and Two-Family Home Drawing Requirements