Frequently Asked Questions

Because the sidewalk program is an annual City-wide initiative to improve safety and accessibility for people walking, using wheelchairs, walkers and mobility devices, engagement is limited to informing residents in the winter/spring prior to late spring/summer construction. 

Although we do not formally collaborate or consult residents for sidewalk planning, staff will work with property owners to ensure the new sidewalk transitions with existing walkways and driveways, and provide opportunities to minimize private encroachment into the public right-of-way.

New sidewalks are typically constructed through the City’s Annual Capital Construction program through general revenue (taxation), casino revenue, the Canada Community Building Fund (formerly known as Gas Tax), and grants from various third parties including TransLink and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.  

If the City’s Annual Capital Construction has not selected your street for the program and you wish to have a sidewalk constructed on your street, residents can initiate the Local Area Services Program.  To learn more information, please visit Local Area Services Program.

Neighbourhoods are changing. Coquitlam is in a rapidly developing and changing region. In 2024, Coquitlam is home to more than 150,000 people and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Metro Vancouver. The City anticipates adding up to 90,000 new residents over the next 25 years with an aging population. 

It is important that infrastructure is improved to keep pace with growth and changing demographics — improving safety and accessibility for people of all ages and abilities.

Sidewalk upgrades are typically required as part of the development process when new homes are built or there is an increase in residential density to an existing building. The City’s updated Frontage Works Program ensures all new homes built in southwest Coquitlam will contribute to upgrading adjacent streetscapes to a modern urban standard, including curbs, gutters, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping and rear lane improvements.

The City’s design standard for local streets includes a 2.2-metre-wide boulevard and a 1.8-metre-wide sidewalk. These dimensions follow engineering best practices: the 1.8-metre sidewalk allows two wheelchair users to pass each other comfortably, while the 2.2-metre boulevard provides a buffer from moving and parked vehicles, and ensures adequate space for tree planting. 

However, the City may consider reducing separated boulevard widths to address challenges related existing conditions such as grades and mature trees.

The City recognizes that installing a new sidewalk may raise privacy concerns. While the sidewalk may be closer to property lines, it remains within City-owned land. Residents are welcome to plant hedges or other landscaping features on their private property to enhance their privacy.

Boulevards are the area between the edge of roadways and adjacent private property lines. Although boulevards are a public space, the adjacent property owners have certain rights and responsibilities, as outlined in the Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 4853, 2018. Please visit the City’s webpage coquitlam.ca/boulevard for further information.

It is challenging to understand where the property boundaries and City boulevard begins, however, you can check using QtheMap for the approximate property line. Residents can look for physical markers on your property from previous legal surveys.  For more information that is accurate, residents should hire a land surveyor. 

Before sidewalk projects are designed and prior to construction, a survey is completed to identify property boundaries.

The driveway access letdown on City property will be limited to the City’s standard width, between 4.5 metres and 6.0 metres. If the existing driveway access is larger than 6.0 metres wide as it crosses City property, then it will be reduced and a standard 6.0-metre driveway letdown will be provided.

Changes to driveway slopes are unavoidable in some cases. The work on a driveway may need to extend onto private property to achieve proper tie-in/transition at some locations.   Prior to completing the driveway, a test drive will be conducted to make sure a standard sedan vehicle does not bottom out.

Properties are permitted one driveway access of the street so one of the driveway accesses will be removed as part of the project. City staff will work with you to determine which access will be removed.

Efforts will be made to match finishes as best as possible. However, the City does not colour match stamped concrete.

Parking pads located on City property (located within the public right-of-way) will be removed.

Irrigation systems located along the City boulevard (within the construction area) will be impacted. The contractor will remove the necessary components and cut and cap the irrigation lines. The City’s contractor will not reinstate or test the remaining portion of the irrigation system, this will be the responsibility of the property owner. Please let staff know whether you would like to keep removed sprinkler heads.

As per the City’s Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw, construction of any structures is not permitted, including fences, new retaining walls, rails, stairs, planters, raised garden beds, rockeries and irrigation systems. Where shrubs are within 3.0 metres of the edge of a roadway or 2.0 metres from a driveway, the maximum height is 0.6 metres.

Anything located along the City boulevard within the construction area will be removed. If you would like to retain anything, the property owner/resident will need to relocate them to private property prior to construction.

As per the City’s Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw, artificial turf is not permitted on City property without written approval. If artificial turf has been installed on the City boulevard (even with written approval), it will be removed (cut and rolled) and set aside for the property owner. Should the property owner wish to reinstall the artificial turf on the City boulevard once the project is completed, all reinstallation costs will be the responsibility of the property owner.

Under the City’s Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw, it is the responsibility of the property owner to clear snow and ice from all sidewalks bordering their property. 

After a snowfall, residents must clear the sidewalks bordering their property within 10 hours. Remember to shovel the snow to the back of your driveway. If you shovel onto the street, the plow will push the snow back onto your driveway and sidewalk.

The Snow Angel program attempts to unite people who need help clearing their adjacent City sidewalks of snow, with eager volunteers from our community who want to help.

When it snows, City crews clear our roadways and property owners clear their sidewalks, driveways/walkways (includes city adjacent sidewalks) – all in an effort to keep Coquitlam moving. But for some members of our community, particularly seniors or people with limited ability, moving snow is a difficult task. Snow Angels will respond to requests made to the City by those who are unable to shovel their own adjacent City sidewalk in several locations across the City due to physical disabilities or restrictions. Please call the Snow Angels Program at 604-927-6076 or submit the Snow Angels Program Application.