The City of Coquitlam is updating its zoning regulations in response to provincial housing legislation. This includes changes to density bonus provisions and new minimum density requirements in high-density areas near SkyTrain stations, called Transit-Oriented Areas.

Coquitlam has long been a leader in housing, advancing proactive strategies to address supply and affordability challenges. As the City implements the required provincial changes, we will continue to support a mix of housing types in Coquitlam, including new purpose-built rental housing.

Proposed Density Bonus and Zoning Changes in High-Density Areas

The City has historically incentivized rental housing through density bonus, using incremental increases beyond a base residential density of 2.5 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to incentivize the construction of rental housing, including below-market and non-market housing. To align with provincial legislation, a new approach is proposed that builds on current incentives and continues to support a mix of housing types, including affordable housing.

Figure 1: Proposed Density Approach

The proposed density structure, as shown in Figure 1, includes:

  • Base density:
    • Allows base residential density, typically up to the Transit-Oriented Area minimum, for any residential tenure (i.e. rental or strata units).
    • Requires a minimum commercial density in mixed-use areas.
  • Bonus density:
    • Allows an optional 1.5 FAR of bonus density for secured market rental housing and an affordable housing contribution.

Figure 2 shows the proposed density structure for all high-density zones.

For more details, refer to the May 4, 2026 Council Report and maps identifying the applicable areas.




Figure 1: Proposed Density Approach



Figure 2: Application of Proposed Approach Across Land Uses

* = Developers that access additional density are required to contribute 0.2 FAR of affordable housing- either by building below-market rental or non-market housing units, or making a 'cash-in-lieu' contribution to the City's Affordable Housing Reserve Fund.

To implement the new approach, new zones are proposed for use in areas already designated for high-density, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: High-Density Land Uses and Zones

The maximum density for each land use is stipulated in the Official Community Plan. No change to maximum densities are proposed through this project.


In Tier 1 of Transit-Oriented Areas, the Province requires a minimum allowable density of 5.0 FAR. To meet this requirement, support the creation of more commercial space (to offer better access to daily services and needs), and maintain the City's rental incentives to provide housing choice, most properties currently designated High-Density Residential in Tier 1 are proposed to be redesignated to Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use (see Figure 2).

Please refer to the FAQs on this page and the maps identifying applicable properties for more information.

No other land use changes are proposed through this project.

Under new provincial legislation, the City must adapt the way it incentivizes the construction of in-kind affordable housing units and collects Affordable Housing Reserve Fund (AHRF) contributions. The proposed new approach is intended to achieve similar outcomes to the existing rental incentive program:

  • Optional Contribution: Affordable housing contributions are provided by developers only when they choose to access bonus density.
  • Choice of Units or Cash Contribution: If developers choose to access bonus density, there is flexibility for them to provide the affordable housing contribution as follows:
    • Units: Construct in-kind below-market rental or non-market housing units;
    • Cash: Pay cash in-lieu of delivering in-kind units and build the same density as either market rental or strata housing; or
    • Both: A combination of construction of in-kind units and cash-in-lieu payment.

For larger projects, the City will seek in-kind below-market rental or non-market housing units over cash-in-lieu payments to the AHRF.

For more details about the affordable housing contributions will work, refer to the May 4, 2026 Council Report.

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