New Westminster is the oldest city in Western Canada, built on a steep hillside overlooking the Fraser River. From the heritage streetscapes of Queen's Park to the floodplain island of Queensborough, the city packs dramatic elevation changes and tight lot constraints into one of Metro Vancouver's most compact municipalities. Hardscaping here is rarely flat and never simple.
The terrain defines the work. Uptown and Queen's Park sit on a pronounced slope that makes retaining walls a standard part of nearly every renovation. Queensborough is a low-lying floodplain island with unique height restrictions and flood control requirements. Sapperton and the West End feature older homes on narrow lots where maximizing usable outdoor space means working within tight setbacks and strict 35% site coverage limits.
New Westminster has the second-strictest retaining wall permit trigger in Metro Vancouver — walls over just 0.91m (3 feet) require a building permit, catching many homeowners off guard. Combined with mandatory drain tile on all new walls and a ban on weep holes, proper engineering and drainage design are non-negotiable here. We build every New Westminster project to meet these requirements from day one.
Neighbourhoods We Serve
Local Regulations You Should Know
Tree Protection — 20cm Threshold with 2:1 Replacement
All trees with 20cm+ diameter at breast height are protected. Non-hazardous removals require 2:1 replacement (two new trees per tree removed). Security deposits range from $669.50 to $772.50 per tree depending on resident status. Specimen trees over 60cm can cost up to $12,617.50 in security. Always check for protected trees before quoting.
Source: Tree Bylaw 7799, 2016
Permit Fees in New Westminster
| Permit Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Building Permit Application Fee | $165.00 non-refundable minimum |
| Building Permit (up to $50K value) | $18.00 per $1,000 of construction value |
| Tree Removal Permit | $103-$206/tree + $128.75 application |
| Demolition Permit (accessory building) | $165.00 + waste fees |
Fees are approximate and may change. Contact 604-527-4580 for current rates.
What We Build in New Westminster
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