Coquitlam is one of the most demanding hardscaping markets in Metro Vancouver — and one of the most rewarding. The city rises from the Fraser River floodplain up through established neighbourhoods like Ranch Park and Harbour Chines, then climbs steeply to Westwood Plateau at 250–400 metres elevation and the rapidly developing Burke Mountain. Nearly every hillside lot requires structural retaining walls, terraced outdoor spaces, and drainage systems engineered for serious water runoff.
Coquitlam has no impervious surface limit — only building footprint counts toward the 45–50% lot coverage cap. That means paver driveways, patios, and walkways are not restricted by a percentage, making Coquitlam the most permissive city in our coverage area for paver installations. The trade-off: retaining wall permits carry the highest fees in the region through a dedicated fee table.
At Westwood Plateau and Burke Mountain elevations, freeze-thaw cycles are a genuine engineering concern. These areas receive significantly more precipitation — rain and snow — than sea-level cities. Snow load on structures, ice on pathways, and frost heave must all be designed for. We build every Coquitlam project around the specific elevation, slope, and drainage conditions of the lot.
Neighbourhoods We Serve
Local Regulations You Should Know
Retaining Walls — Most Permissive Stepped System (Up to 4.8m)
Coquitlam has the most permissive retaining wall system in the region. Standard individual walls are 1.2m max. With GM Planning approval, single walls can reach 2.4m. Stepped wall systems allow up to 4.8m combined height (max 3.6m per individual wall, 1.2m minimum horizontal separation). Walls over 1.2m require a building permit plus Professional Engineer.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 3000, §516(5)
Retaining Wall Plus Fence — 3.0m Combined Maximum
Combined retaining wall plus fence maximum is 3.0m — the most generous combined height allowance in our area. For reference, front yard fences can reach 1.3m and side and rear fences 1.8m, which matters when planning a wall along an existing fence line.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 3000, §516(2), §516(4); Fence Heights Guide
No Impervious Surface Limit
Coquitlam does not cap impervious surface coverage. Only building footprint counts toward the 45–50% lot coverage limit. Driveways, patios, walkways, and other paved surfaces outside the building footprint are unrestricted — the most permissive hardscaping policy in our coverage area.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 10
Tree Protection — 2 Free Removals Per Year
All trees over 20cm diameter are protected. However, Coquitlam allows 2 free tree removals per 12-month period without a permit — the most permissive tree policy in our coverage area. A permit is only required for the 3rd or subsequent tree. Replacement is based on lot size and remaining tree count.
Source: Tree Management Bylaw; coquitlam.ca/558
Permit Fees in Coquitlam
| Permit Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Retaining Wall Permit Application | $106.70 |
| Retaining Wall Permit ($10,000 value) | ~$425–$708 |
| Building Permit ($10,000 value, no RP) | ~$311 |
| Demolition Permit (all other) | $337.90 |
Fees are approximate and may change. Contact 604-927-3441 for current rates.
What We Build in Coquitlam
Book Your Site Visit
Tell us about your project and we'll call you to set a time to walk the site. We find the problem areas, how we'd get in, and what you're comfortable investing — no pressure. Your itemized price comes out of Planning & Design, before anything is built. We service the entire Lower Mainland.
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