How many homes can I build in Coquitlam?
What BC's housing laws and Coquitlam's own zones allow on house lots, counted lot by lot from public data. To check one lot, find it on the map and open its card.
What BC law requires
Under BC's Bill 44 (2023), lots zoned for houses or duplexes inside the urban containment boundary must allow at least 3 homes on lots up to 280 m², 4 homes on larger lots, and 6 homes on lots of at least 281 m² near a frequent bus stop. Under Bill 47, land near SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges is a transit-oriented area where the city can't refuse taller buildings on height or density grounds alone (up to 20 storeys right next to a SkyTrain station).
The city's own zones can allow more than this. Lots in the Agricultural Land Reserve, outside the urban boundary, or on hazard land are treated differently.
Lots in Coquitlam by homes allowed
- Transit-oriented area (taller buildings)23,081 lots
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)22,530 lots
- 6 homes (near frequent transit)1,364 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)892 lots
Our estimate per lot from lot size, distance to frequent transit and SkyTrain, the urban boundary and the farmland reserve.
House lots by size
| Up to 280 m² (3,014 ft²) | 960 lots |
| 280–557 m² (3,014–6,000 ft²) | 6,821 lots |
| 557–1,000 m² (6,000–10,764 ft²) | 17,180 lots |
| Over 1,000 m² (10,764 ft²) | 7,565 lots |
Lot size decides the 3- versus 4-home threshold and, in most zones, how much floor space you can build.
What Coquitlam's zones allow
| Zone | Lots | Homes allowed (city bylaw) |
|---|---|---|
| R-1 | 14,786 | 4 (any mix of principal and accessory units; 3 on lots <=280 m2 under provincial SSMUH rules) |
| R-2 | 5,867 | 4 (3 where lot is 280 m2 or less); max 2 principal buildings |
| RT-2 | 5,289 | Townhouses; no unit cap stated (governed by FAR) |
| R-3 | 3,112 | 4 (2 principal + 2 accessory); 3 on lots <=280 m2 (max 2 principal); one principal building |
| RS-1 | 1,286 | 2 (house + secondary suite) |
| RT-1 | 809 | 4 (fourplex; triplex/fourplex only on NAR or Baycrest lots in Partington Creek); or house + suite or carriage house/garden cottage |
| RS-4 | 668 | 2 (house + secondary suite) |
| RS-2 | 322 | 2 (house + 1 accessory dwelling unit inside the house) |
| RS-3 | 194 | 2 (house + secondary suite) |
| R-4 | 103 | Minimum 3 units; no stated maximum (lot >=930 m2) |
| SS-1 | 58 | 0 - no residential use permitted (s.1701(2): service station and accessory uses 'and no others'). |
| RT-3 | 32 | Multiplex; no unit cap stated |
Zoning changes in progress
- Density bonus / affordable housing follow-up to Bylaw 5521 (high-density zones) staff engagement and recommendations expected early 2027; no bylaw yet
Staff to monitor uptake of RA-3/MU zones and develop policy favouring turn-key affordable units over cash-in-lieu. source ↗ - Full Official Community Plan update (after Interim OCP Bylaw 5511, adopted 2026-04-27) anticipated to begin 2027; no zoning bylaw drafted
Broader OCP review that may lead to later zoning changes; Interim OCP did not change policies beyond provincial requirements. source ↗
Sources: BC Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act 2023 (Bill 44) and Bill 47; Zoning Bylaw No. 3000, 1996 (consolidated to 2026-07-27) ↗; ParcelMap BC; the city's open zoning data. Estimates only: confirm with Coquitlam before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.