The Province of British Columbia has actively revised its building bylaws, mandating compliance from every city, including Coquitlam. In light of this, we'll delve into Coquitlam's residential zoning regulations and explore potential building or development opportunities for your lot.
What is zoning?
Zoning acts as a blueprint for our city, dictating how land and buildings can be utilized. It's the framework ensuring our city evolves logically and cohesively. Divided into distinct zones, each area adheres to specific regulations tailored to its surroundings, fostering balanced growth and development.
what makes zoning important?
Zoning serves as a safeguard for our communities, promoting safety and well-being. It determines the types of structures, whether homes or offices, and their aesthetics. Additionally, zoning fosters distinct identities within various city areas, ensuring each neighborhood maintains its unique ambiance and character. Moreover, it considers environmental factors, regulating the density of developments. Ultimately, zoning enhances the livability and functionality of our cities, creating pleasant environments for all residents
Types of Residential Zones in the City of Coquitlam
R: Single-Family Residential Zones
RTM: Street-Oriented Residential Zones
RT: Infill Residential Zones
RM: Apartment Residential Zones
RMH: Mobile Home Residential Zones
R: Single-Family Residential Zones
RS-1: One-Family Residential
This designation aims to accommodate low-density single-family lots with a minimum size of 650 square meters, which is notably larger than the lot sizes in other zoning categories except for RS-9 and RS-11. Under RS-1, you can have a one-family residential house as the principal use.
One-Family Residential Includes but not limited to:
If some of you don't know what 'One-family residential' means, it includes different housing types like single-detached houses with secondary suites, standalone single-detached houses, and single-detached houses with carriage houses. Just a quick note, a carriage house is a residential suite usually above a detached garage, often accessed from a lane.
Recent Rezoning Application under rs-1
RS-2: One-Family Suburban Residential
In contrast to RS-1, which requires a minimum lot size of 650 square meters, RS-2 has a minimum lot size of 4000 square meters, reflecting its location in an agricultural area. Despite this difference, RS-2 zoning is still considered low-density single-family housing.
Recent Rezoning Application under rs-2
RS-3: One-Family Residential
RS-1 and RS-3 share many similarities, but one notable difference is the minimum lot size. Unlike RS-1, which has a minimum lot size of 650 square meters, RS-3 requires a minimum of 555 square meters. Despite this variance, RS-3 is still classified as low-density single-family housing.
Recent Rezoning Application under rs-3
RS-4: One-Family Compact Residential
RS-4 is a smaller version of RS-3 with a minimum lot size of 375 square meters. Both share a minimum depth of 22.7 meters but differ in minimum width and allowable setback. RS-3 mandates a minimum width of 13.5 meters, while RS-4 is slightly smaller at 12.5 meters. Like the schedules we've covered, RS-4 remains classified as low-density single-family lots.
Recent Rezoning Application under rs-4
RS-5: One-Family Compact (Strata Lot) Residential
RS-4 and RS-5 shares the similar minimum lot size of 375 square meters, but this time, this zone is a low-density strata lot.
Strata Lot: In case some of you are wondering, a strata lot means that a large parcel of land was divided into multiple ownerships with common property. Examples include condominiums and subdivisions.
RS-6: One-Family (Strata Lot) Residential
Unlike RS-5, RS-6 is larger, with a minimum lot size of 555 square meters compared to the minimum lot size of RS-5, which is 375 square meters.
RS-7: Small Village Single Family Residential
Zoning designation intended for small village single-family residential use. For one-family residential, the minimum lot size is 340 square meters, while duplexes and carriage houses have specific requirements for approval.
RS-8: Large Village Single Family Residential
Unlike RS-7, which has a smaller lot size and permits different types of housing, RS-8 has a minimum lot size of 400 square meters, and the only allowable housing is one-family residential. This schedule is also a low-density bare land strata.
RS-9: Large Single Family Residential
While RS-1 and RS-9 share many similarities, such as a minimum lot size of 650 square meters, they differ not only in the minimum allowable width but also set distinct requirements for minimum depth and minimum setback.
RS-10: Executive Single Family Residential
RS-9 and RS-10 may appear similar, as they share the same minimum lot size of 650 square meters. However, they have slight differences. One of it is RS-9 has a minimum lot width of 13.5 meters, while RS-10 requires a minimum lot width of 18 meters.
RS-11: Estate Single Family Residential
Finally, we come to the last of the RS zoning categories. RS-11 features the largest lot sizes among other RS zones, with a minimum lot size of 1000 square meters and a minimum width requirement of 24 meters.
RTM: Street-Oriented Residential Zones
RTM-1: Street-Oriented Village Home Residential
In this zoning, each building is vertically connected by party walls to one or more neighboring structures. Each lot faces both a street and a lane. Furthermore, the minimum lot size required for this zoning is 210 square meters.
RT: Infill Residential Zones
RT-1: Infill Residential
Now, let's explore the RT zoning. We'll begin with RT-1, an infill residential zone. This zone is designed for infill residential development, allowing for a maximum of 4 dwelling units per lot. Housing options in this zoning include one-family residential. Duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes are allowed but under specific requirements.
Recent Rezoning Application under rT-1
RT-2: Townhouse Residential
This schedule also permits one-family, duplex residential, and townhouse. Townhouses require a minimum lot area of 1,110 square meters, while one-family residential needs 330 square meters, and duplex residential requires a minimum of 740 square meters.
It's worth noting that RT-2 differs from RT-1 and RT-3 as it does not have infill residential requirements under this schedule.
RT-3: Multiplex Residential
The last of the RT zoning districts is RT-3, which we'll discuss now. RT-3 is designated as Multiplex residential zoning. Unlike other zoning categories, RT-3 has only one principal use, mainly for multiplex and the minimum lot area for this zoning is 930 square meters.
Recent Rezoning Application under rT-3
RM: Apartment Residential Zones
RM-1: Two-Storey Low Density Apartment Residential
Now, let's explore the RM districts, recognized as apartment zones. We'll kick off with RM-1, allowing for 2-story apartments and townhouse development at a low density. Principal buildings allowable for this zoning include apartments, townhouses, and congregate housing. In this zoning, the minimum lot size for apartments or townhouses will be 1,100 square meters, while the boarding house will have a minimum lot size of 555 square meters.
For those unfamiliar with congregate housing, it is designed for people with accessibility needs and should contain two or more licensed residential units.
Recent Rezoning Application under rM-1
RM-2: Three Storey Medium Density Apartment Residential
RM-2 is designated for 3-story apartment and townhouse development at medium density. Essentially, this zoning is a larger version of RM-1 with a more extensive buildable area.
RM-3: Multi-Storey Medium Density Apartment Residential
RM-3 is designated for apartment developments ranging from 4 to 8 stories high at medium density. Similar to RM-1 and RM-2, this zoning requires the same minimum lot size, but it features a notably larger density. While RM-2 permits a gross floor area of 1.4 times the lot area, RM-3 allows for an even greater gross floor area at 1.85 times the lot area, with the possibility of further increase. Additionally, this zoning permits commercial uses, provided they are enclosed within a building and is limited to specific type of businesses.
Recent Rezoning Application under rM-3
RM-4: Multi-Storey High-Density Apartment Residential
RM-4 isdesignated for multi-storey high-density apartment residential use. This implies that the buildings in this zoning must have a minimum height of 8 storeys and a maximum height of 12 storeys. The maximum density for this zoning is 2.5 times the lot area, with the possibility of further increase subject to certain regulations.
Recent Rezoning Application under rM-4
RM-5: Multi-Storey High-Density Apartment Residential
RM-5 is designated for multi-storey, high-density apartment residential use, with a minimum building height of 8 storeys and a maximum height reaching up to 20 storeys. Unlike other districts, RM-5 allows for a significant lot coverage, extending up to 90%.
RM-6: Multi-Storey High-Density Apartment Residential
Finally, the last schedule under RM district. We have RM-6. Essentially, RM-6 is an upgraded version of RM-5, as it comes with no height limit for apartment developments.
RMH: Mobile Home Residential Zones
RMH-1: Mobile Home Park
Now, we're covering the last residential zoning in this video – RMH-1 or mobile home park. This zoning is designed for mobile homes within a mobile park, whether leased or owned.
Having discussed all the residential zonings in Coquitlam, if you have further questions or need clarifications, please feel free to check their website or contact us, and we'll provide you with a free 30-minute consultation. Stay tuned as we explore residential zonings in other cities aside from Coquitlam!