---
title: "R-3 zone in Coquitlam: Transitional Small-Scale Residential"
place: Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/coquitlam
zone: R-3
bylaw: Zoning Bylaw No. 3000, 1996 (consolidated with amending bylaws, updated July 27, 2026)
bylaw_read: 2026-11-07
review: draft
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/zoning/r-3/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/zoning/r-3.json"
---

# R-3 zone in Coquitlam: Transitional Small-Scale Residential

Low-density residential uses of up to four dwelling units per lot where lot consolidation and rezoning to higher density is desirable.

## Zone rules

- **Purpose:** Low-density residential uses of up to four dwelling units per lot where lot consolidation and rezoning to higher density is desirable.
- **Main uses:** Small-scale residential (Maximum two principal and two accessory dwelling units per lot (three units in total if the lot is 280 m² or less).)
- **Also allowed (secondary uses):** Boarding; Accessory residential; Accessory home occupation; Accessory institutional support services
- **Minimum lot area:** 650 m²
- **Minimum lot width:** 18.5 m
- **Maximum lot coverage:** 45% for all buildings together (detached waste and green waste storage structures excluded)
- **Maximum density:** Floor area up to 0.5 times the lot area. Floor area may be increased by up to 40 m² per lot with one dwelling unit and 46 m² per lot with two or more units for above-grade concealed or accessory parking
- **Maximum height:** Three storeys on any face or side (including a basement projecting more than 1.3 metres above finished grade) and 11.0 m total
- **Maximum height, accessory buildings:** 3.7 m, or 4.6 m for roofs with a pitch of 4 in 12 or greater over at least 80% of roof surfaces
- **Front setback:** 5.5 m
- **Rear setback:** 6.0 m where there is no lane; 1.2 m along a lane
- **Interior side setback:** 1.2 m
- **Street side setback:** 3.0 m
- **Accessory building setbacks:** Detached accessory buildings 1.6 m or more from a principal building: front 5.5 m, rear 1.2 m, interior side 1.2 m, exterior side 3.0 m (attached or closer than 1.6 m follow the principal building setbacks)
- **Other rules:** No more than one principal building per lot (dwelling units joined by a continuous common wall and foundation count as one); Each dwelling unit needs at least 20 m² of private or common amenity area; Accessory buildings and detached parking structures must be at least 3.0 m from the principal building; Combined garage door width facing a street is at most 6.0 m

## Source

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 3000, 1996 (consolidated with amending bylaws, updated July 27, 2026), s. 1004](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1174/Part-10-Low-Density-Residential-Zones-PDF--RS-2-R-1-to-R-4-RTM-1-RT-2-and-RMH-1-Zones#page=17) (read 2026-11-07)

Rules in the bylaw's general sections (parking, fences, suites, home businesses) also apply. All zones in Coquitlam: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/zoning/index.json

_Draft: taken from the bylaw text by a research agent and not yet reviewed by a person. Gov Handbook is an independent guide. Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/zoning/r-3/_