The City of Coquitlam has adopted new medium-density zones following a public hearing on April 27, 2026, to align with provincial housing legislation.

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 changes to high-density zones will be addressed in a future report to Council and included on this page at that time.

To implement provincially required changes, proposed updates include replacing the current RM-3 zone that uses Density Bonus with two new medium-density apartment residential zones - RA-1 for outside Transit-Oriented Areas and RA-2 for inside Transit-Oriented Areas. These proposed new zones:

  • Maintain similar density to the current RM-3 zone, except where provincial Transit-Oriented Area minimum densities apply; and
  • Allow up to 1.85 or 2.4 FAR (depending on location) for both rental and strata tenure. Over these densities, 100% rental tenure is allowed.

RA-2 is intended to be used in Transit-Oriented Areas and therefore, has higher densities than RA-1 to meet provincial requirements for minimum densities.

In some Neighbourhood Centre areas, the current C-5 zone allows mixed-use development (commercial at street level with housing above) at both medium- and high-densities. This means a single zone currently permits two different building types or forms.

To implement provincially required changes, proposed updates include replacing the C-5 zone applicable to medium-density with a new mixed-use medium-density zone (MU-1) for use in appropriate neighbourhood centres. This new zone:

  • Allows for similar densities as other medium-density areas;
  • Allows for up to 2.5 FAR for strata or rental tenure. If over 2.5 FAR, 100% rental tenure is allowed, as shown in Figure 1; and
  • Maintains a commercial requirement to support an active street with businesses on the ground floor.
Graph of Proposed Medium-Density Residential Zones and Maximum Densities

Figure 1: Proposed Medium-Density Residential Zones and Maximum Densities

Provide a short summary of your question.

You have 150 characters left

Provide detailed information relating to your question.

You have 500 characters left

Select a respondent from the list that you would most like to answer your question.

Moderation Policy

These are the people that are listening and responding to your questions.

Community Planning

Housing and Social Policy Team

{{ question.username }} asked

{{question.description}}

{{ answer.respondent.name }}
| Edited

Answer this question

Select the respondent who will be marked as answering the question

Provide the answer to the question. Answer can be saved as draft and published when complete.

No questions found

Stay Informed

Click the "Follow" button at the top of the page, join the Coquitlam Current e-newsletter mailing list and follow us on social media for updates and opportunities for community input.