FAQs • Where must the vent terminations be located?

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Where must the vent terminations be located?: Exhaust vents for central heating and cooling equipment must be located so that they exhaust towards the front yard, rear yard, exterior side yard or through the roof. Reference the manufacturer’s recommendations or contact Technical Safety BC for the appliance venting requirements.

Mechanical Permits

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1. What is the effective date of the new zoning bylaw regulations for mechanical equipment and venting terminations?: The effective date of the new zoning bylaw requirement is January 29, 2019.

2. What types of building permits are affected by the new zoning bylaw regulations for mechanical equipment and venting terminations?

The building permit types affected are building permits issued for:

One-Family Residential
Quadruplex Residential
Street-Oriented Village Home Residential Uses
Triplex Residential
Two-Family Residential

3. Where can I get a copy of the City of Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw and siting exceptions for mechanical equipment?: The City of Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw is available on our Zoning Bylaw page. View Section 514 of the Zoning Bylaw (PDF) sitting exception.

4. Where do I find the zoning setbacks and new siting exceptions for mechanical equipment?: The regulations are in the City of Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw. The setbacks are listed in the Zone the building is located, and the siting exception is listed in Part 5 General Regulations, Subsection 514 (4).

5. Does the additional 1.0 meter interior side yard setback apply to mechanical equipment inside the building?: No. The additional 1.0 meter interior side yard setback applies to mechanical equipment located on the exterior of the building.

6. What mechanical equipment is regulated by the siting exceptions in the zoning bylaw?: Exterior heating and cooling equipment, heat pumps, ancillary swimming pool heating and filtering equipment, as well as emergency generators, are the equipment that are regulated by the siting exceptions. Also note, ancillary swimming pool heating and filtering equipment is restricted to a maximum height of 1.3 metres above grade.

7. What vent terminations are regulated by the siting exceptions in the zoning bylaw?: Venting terminations for high efficient central heating and cooling equipment (mainly furnaces and boilers) must be located such that they do not vent into the area of a lot adjacent to an interior side lot line.

8. What mechanical equipment and vent terminations are not regulated by the new siting requirements in the zoning bylaw?

Not impacted by this bylaw are:

Direct Vent Fireplaces
Exhaust from Heat Recovery Ventilation Units
Exhausts from Hot Water Tanks and Instantaneous Domestic Water Heaters
Kitchen and Bathroom Exhaust Fan Outlets
Portable Air Conditioners

9. Where must the vent terminations be located?: Exhaust vents for central heating and cooling equipment must be located so that they exhaust towards the front yard, rear yard, exterior side yard or through the roof. Reference the manufacturer’s recommendations or contact Technical Safety BC for the appliance venting requirements.

10. Who should I contact if I have questions or need more information about the new zoning bylaw regulations for mechanical equipment and venting terminations?: You can call the Building Division at 604-927-3441, or visit the Building Division on the main floor of City Hall and speak directly with Building Division staff.