Duplex, Triplex and Fourplex Builders in Coquitlam
Coquitlam rezoned about 22,000 lots in June 2025 to allow up to four homes, from duplexes with suites to fourplexes.
- Up to 4
- homes per lot
- 0.75
- FAR for 3–4 homes in R-1
- 22,000
- lots rezoned in 2025
At a glance
In Coquitlam, most single-family lots were rezoned on June 9, 2025 to new small-scale residential zones. You can build up to three homes on lots of 280 m² or less and up to four on larger lots. There is no six-unit option: the City says no Coquitlam bus stops currently meet the provincial frequent-service test. In the main R-1 zone, three or four homes get 0.75 FAR.
Duplex to fourplex
A house with suites, a duplex with suites, a triplex or a fourplex.
Parking by home size
1, 1.5 or 2 spaces depending on each home’s floor area.
Strata or not
Duplexes to fourplexes can be sold separately. Suites and backyard suites can’t.
01
How many homes can you build on a Coquitlam lot?
On June 9, 2025, Council adopted the zoning changes, with further amendments on June 23, 2025. About 22,000 lots moved into new small-scale residential zones allowing up to four homes. That can be a house with a suite and backyard suites, a duplex with suites, a triplex, or a fourplex.
Coquitlam is the one city we work in where six units is off the table. The provincial six-unit rule depends on frequent bus service, and the City states that no Coquitlam bus stops currently meet the criteria. Lots inside the Transit-Oriented Areas around SkyTrain stations keep their existing zoning and follow separate provincial rules.
| Zone | Homes | Floor area ratio | Lot coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-1 Small-Scale Residential | Up to 4 | 0.65 for 1–2 homes, 0.75 for 3–4 | 50% |
| R-2 Compact Small-Scale | Up to 4 (3 on lots of 280 m² or less) | 0.75 | 50% |
| R-3 Transitional Small-Scale | 2 principal + 2 accessory homes | 0.50 | 45% |
| R-4 Intensive Small-Scale | At least 3, on lots of 930 m² or more | 0.85 | 50% |
R-3 is applied where the City would rather see lots consolidated and rezoned for higher density later, so it allows less. R-4 is the former RT-3 multiplex zone, renamed. On an existing lot the minimum size is 280 m² and there is no minimum width. The larger minimums in the bylaw (650 m² and 18.5 m in R-1, 465 m² and 12.5 m in R-2) apply to new lots created by subdivision.
02
What are the building rules in the R-1 zone?
R-1 covers most of the former single-family lots. More than one principal building is allowed, so a front-and-back layout works as well as a single building.
| Rule | R-1 |
|---|---|
| Height | 3 storeys and 11.0 m. A basement more than 1.3 m above grade counts as a storey |
| Front setback | 5.5 m |
| Rear setback | 6.0 m, or 1.2 m along a lane |
| Side setbacks | 1.2 m interior, 3.0 m on a flanking street |
| Separation between buildings | 6.0 m front-to-back (9.0 m if both are three storeys). 2.4 m side by side |
| Parking structures | Extra 40 m² (1 home) or 46 m² (2+ homes) of floor area allowed for above-grade parking |
| Outdoor space | At least 20 m² (215 sq ft) per home |
| Storage | An indoor storage room on the main floor of each home: 2.2–4.5 m² for homes up to 79 m², 3.3–4.5 m² for larger homes |
03
How much parking does Coquitlam require?
Coquitlam sets parking by the size of each home, not a flat rate per unit, so the floor plan directly changes how much parking you need.
On a lot without a lane, parking for a backyard suite can sit in the front yard, and tandem spaces can use the driveway. On a lane lot, parking goes at the rear. Designing a fourplex as four 1,600 sq ft homes instead of four 1,800 sq ft homes can save two parking spaces, and on many lots that decides whether the plan fits.
Key points
- 1 space for each home under 79 m² (850 sq ft)
- 1.5 spaces for each home of 79 to 158 m² (850 to 1,700 sq ft)
- 2 spaces for each home over 158 m² (1,700 sq ft), and these can be tandem
- Totals round up, so two 1,000 sq ft homes need 3 spaces
04
What does Coquitlam charge in fees?
Coquitlam charges both development cost charges and amenity cost charges. They are among the largest single costs in a small multiplex, so we price them in the feasibility study.
| Charge | Rate |
|---|---|
| Development Cost Charge, single family | $64,396 per home (Bylaw 5411, from June 23, 2025) |
| Development Cost Charge, townhouse | $38,537 per home |
| Amenity Cost Charge, low-rise residential | $21,205 per home, from July 7, 2025. Covers duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, multiplexes and townhomes |
| Refundable securities | 2.5% of the estimated construction cost |
Which development cost charge rate applies depends on how the bylaw classifies your building, so we confirm it with the City for your plan. Metro Vancouver and TransLink charges are collected on top, and frontage works along your street may be required depending on the lot and its infrastructure.
05
Duplex, triplex or fourplex: which suits a Coquitlam lot?
With a four-home ceiling, the real question is how you want to own the homes. Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes can be strata titled and sold separately. Secondary suites and backyard suites cannot. They stay on the same title as the main home.
That makes a fourplex the route for four sellable homes. A duplex with a suite in each half suits owners who want to live in one half, and sell or rent the other, with suite income from both. On an R-1 lot, going from two homes to three also lifts the floor area from 0.65 to 0.75 FAR, which can make a triplex worth more than the extra unit alone.
Many Coquitlam lots, especially on Burke Mountain and Westwood Plateau, are sloped. Coquitlam counts a basement more than 1.3 m above grade as a storey, and prefers stepped retaining walls. Both shape how a building sits on a slope, so we check the grade early.
06
What is changing in Coquitlam in 2026?
The City is reviewing its policies for townhouses, rowhouses and intensive small-scale housing (formerly called multiplex housing) during 2026. Servicing is also part of every application: Coquitlam asks for a fire flow requirements form, because more homes on a lot can need more water for firefighting than the street’s mains supply.
We date-stamp these rules and recheck them as the review reports back.
How we work
One team from lot check to keys
- 01
Lot check
Zoning, frontage, trees and servicing, checked first.
- 02
Design
In-house architectural design, to your lot’s rules.
- 03
Permits
We act as your representative with the City.
- 04
Interiors
Finishes chosen while the permit is in review.
- 05
Price & schedule
Both set out in writing before we break ground.
- 06
Build & handover
Daily updates in your portal, then the keys.
Reviews
5.0 5 Google reviews →Check What My Lot Allows“The team was professional, helpful, and easy to work with throughout the process. They paid attention to the details, communicated well, and made sure everything was done properly.”
Lot Check
Check what your lot allows
Send us the address. We check the zoning, lot size, frontage and transit rules in Coquitlam and reply within one business day, with no obligation.
- Emailinfo@tcitydevelopments.com
- Tommy778-239-2078
- Andrew604-230-9134
- Service AreaVancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam & North Vancouver
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many units can I build in Coquitlam?
Up to three on lots of 280 m² (3,014 sq ft) or less, and up to four on larger lots under 4,050 m². Secondary suites and backyard suites count toward the total.
Can I build six units in Coquitlam?
Not under the small-scale rules. The six-unit option depends on frequent bus service, and the City states that no Coquitlam bus stops currently meet the provincial criteria.
Can I strata my duplex or fourplex in Coquitlam?
Yes. Duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and multiplexes can be stratified and sold separately. Secondary suites and accessory dwelling units cannot.
What is the FAR for a fourplex in Coquitlam?
In the R-1 zone, 0.75 for three or four homes and 0.65 for one or two. R-2 allows 0.75 and R-3 allows 0.50.
How much are amenity cost charges in Coquitlam?
$21,205 per low-rise home since July 7, 2025, which covers duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, multiplexes and townhomes. Development cost charges are charged separately.