Port Coquitlam building permits: when you need one and how to apply
Do I need a building permit, and how do I apply?
Short answer
In Port Coquitlam you need a City building permit before you build, demolish, repair or alter a building or structure, including decks, carports and pools, and for interior renovations, a secondary suite or finishing a basement. Apply online through eApply or on paper to the Building Division at 604-927-5444.
Key facts
| Needed for | A building permit is required before you build, demolish, repair or alter a building or structure (carports, decks and pools included), change a building's occupancy, do interior renovations, or change plumbing, furnaces, fire alarms or sprinklers. Also for a new detached accessory building over 100 sq ft or considered a hazard, a secondary suite, or finishing a basement.Building Permits, Building Permits page; Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Single-Family or Two-Family Permit page; Accessory Building Permit, Accessory Building Permit page; Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 6.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuild, demolish, repair or alter a building or structure, including carports, decks and pools Change the occupancy of an existing building or make interior renovations Make additions or changes to the plumbing, furnaces, fire alarm or fire sprinkler system Complete a previously unfinished area in an existing building, such as finishing a basement; Create a secondary suite; that is over a 100 square feet or considered a hazard A Building Permit is required when you wish to add to or construct a new detached accessory building that is over a 100 square feet or considered a hazard. unless a permit for the work has been issued. |
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| Not needed for | The Building and Plumbing Bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code, and its definition of 'structure' excludes fences, landscaping, paving and retaining structures under 1.5 m high. The City says non-structural minor deck changes need no permit.Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 5.2 and s. 2.1 (Structure); Decks Permit, Decks Permit page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw does not apply to buildings or structures exempted by Part 1 of the but specifically excludes landscaping, fences, paving and retaining structures less than 1.5 meters in height. A building permit is not required for non-structural minor modifications. |
| How to apply | Apply online through eApply for single-family, two-family and accessory-building permits, or submit the Building Permit Application Form and checklist at the Building Division offices. A builder contractor needs a valid City business licence before a permit is issued.Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Single-Family or Two-Family Permit page; Accessory Building Permit, Accessory Building Permit page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWe are accepting permit applications via eApply You can submit this form and checklist at the Building Division offices (see below). A builder contractor must have a valid business licence with the City of Port Coquitlam before a Building Permit can be issued. We are now accepting Accessory Building Permit Applications via eApply. |
| What to submit | Building Permit Application Form with its checklist. Under Bylaw 3710 s. 10.1 (unless the Building Official exempts): owner's Form A, a title search under 30 days old, a BC Land Surveyor site plan, two sets of drawings, foundation design by a registered professional, encumbrance copies, electronic drawings and water meter detail. Staff may send a Plan Review Letter listing resubmission requirements.Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Application Process / Staff Review; Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPlease refer to the application checklist that is part of the Building Permit Application Form. staff will provide a written list of resubmission requirements, in the form of the Plan Review Letter. An application for a permit shall be made in the form prescribed by a Building Official. include a copy of a title search made within 30 days of the date of the include two sets of drawings including floor plans, elevations, cross include electronic copies of drawings; and |
| Processing time | Not confirmed. The published pages do not say how long a permit takes. |
| Inspections | Permit holders book inspections online through a MyPortCoquitlam account. For standard buildings the owner must give at least 48 hours notice when requesting an inspection. Stages include forms, under slab, framing, insulation, occupancy and final; the final inspection is booked once all professionals' documents are in.Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, Inspection; Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 17.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPermit holders are responsible for booking inspections online via a MyPortCoquitlam account. a Building Inspector will inspect forms, under slab, framing, insulation, occupancy, and final inspection. A final inspection can be booked via your MyPortCoquitlam account. give at least 48 hours notice to the City when requesting an inspection |
| Contact | Building Division: 604-927-5444, building@portcoquitlam.ca.Building contact, Contact page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPhone 604-927-5444 Email building@portcoquitlam.ca |
| Bylaw | Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuilding and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710 |
How it works
The City of Port Coquitlam requires a building permit under its Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710. You need one to build, demolish, repair or alter a building or structure (carports, decks and pools included), change a building's use, renovate inside, or change plumbing, furnaces, fire alarms or sprinklers. It is also required for a new detached accessory building over 100 sq ft or considered a hazard, a secondary suite, or finishing a basement.
The bylaw does not apply to buildings exempted by Part 1 of the BC Building Code, and its definition of "structure" leaves out fences, landscaping, paving and retaining structures under 1.5 m high. The City says non-structural minor deck changes need no permit.
Steps
- Check PoCoMAP for zoning, flood construction levels and servicing.
- Make sure your builder holds a Port Coquitlam business licence; one is required before a permit is issued.
- Apply through eApply (single-family, two-family and accessory buildings), or submit the Building Permit Application Form and checklist at the Building Division offices. Deck and secondary-suite pages describe the paper route.
- Bylaw 3710 usually asks for the owner's Form A, a title search under 30 days old, a BC Land Surveyor site plan, two sets of drawings, a registered professional's foundation design, and water meter details, unless the Building Official exempts you. Staff may send a Plan Review Letter listing what to fix.
- Book inspections online through your MyPortCoquitlam account. Give at least 48 hours notice. Stages include forms, under slab, framing, insulation, occupancy and final.
Good to know
- Gas and electrical inspections are done by the BC Safety Authority, not the City.
- The City gives no processing time; ask the Building Division at 604-927-5444 or building@portcoquitlam.ca.
- Work started without a permit costs double the fees; see the building permit fees answer.
What you'll need
- Completed building permit application form and its checklist
- A valid City of Port Coquitlam business licence for your builder or contractor
- Check zoning, flood construction levels and servicing on PoCoMAP before you design
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Coquitlam · New Westminster · Port Moody · Belcarra · Anmore · Burnaby
Building permits in British Columbia: how to apply, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permits, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Single-Family or Two-Family Permit, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Accessory Building Permit, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Decks Permit, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building contact, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.