Port Coquitlam's RS1–RS4 zones now allow 3, 4, or 6 units by-right under Bylaw 4374 — with 6 units available near the Lougheed Highway frequent-transit corridor.
The short answer
Port Coquitlam amended its RS1–RS4 zones via Bylaw 4374 (~June 2024) to allow 3 units on lots ≤ 280 m², 4 units on lots 280 m²–4,050 m², and 6 units on lots > 280 m² within 400 m of a prescribed (frequent-transit) bus stop — generally the Lougheed Highway corridor. No rezoning is required; a SSMUH Development Permit is needed before a building permit. Parking is 1 stall/unit (max 3), with no parking minimum near transit.
Port Coquitlam complied with Bill 44 via Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4374, which amended the four single-residential zones RS1, RS2, RS3 and RS4 to permit multiplexes by-right — no individual rezoning is needed. The bylaw was driven by a May 28, 2024 Committee of Council report and adopted around the June 30, 2024 provincial deadline (the exact third-reading date was not confirmed in public sources; confirm against council minutes if the precise date matters).
The legacy RD (Residential Duplex) zone was consolidated into RS1, and “Coach House” was renamed to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) with a raised maximum size of 90 m². Duplex, secondary suite, and ADU are now baseline permissions across all RS1–RS4 lots.
| Lot size | Units permitted by-right | Transit proximity bonus |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 280 m² | Up to 3 units | — |
| > 280 m² and < 4,050 m² | Up to 4 units | 6 units if within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop |
| ≥ 4,050 m² (1 acre+) | Not eligible for SSMUH | Subdivision potential instead |
The 6-unit allowance applies to lots > 280 m² that fall within 400 m of a “prescribed bus stop” — defined as a stop served by a route scheduled every 15 minutes on average (Mon–Fri 7am–7pm; Sat–Sun 10am–6pm). Port Coquitlam uses the provincial definition (BC Reg. 262/2023) and maps the qualifying stops in Schedule D of Bylaw 4374.
The City’s own characterisation is that this corridor is generally along Lougheed Highway. The legally controlling boundary is Schedule D itself. If you are within about 400 m of a Lougheed bus stop, confirm against the official map before designing for 6 units.
No parking minimum applies for the 6-unit allowance — BC’s Bill 44 prohibits cities from requiring parking for the units needed to hit the 6-unit minimum near transit.
These figures are confirmed from the official council report (May 28, 2024) and Bylaw 4374:
Height: 10.5 m / 3 storeys (up from the previous 7–9.5 m). FSR: 0.60 (single + suite), 0.75 (duplex), 1.00 (triplex) in RS1/RS2/RS4 — the large-lot RS3 zone caps at 0.75; ADUs up to 90 m² are FSR-exempt. Lot coverage: 50%, up to 55% for triplexes. Setbacks: front 6.0 m (reducible to 4.0 m with lane access, rear-only parking, or near transit); rear 7.5 m (6.0 m for transit-area triplexes; 1.2 m for ADUs); side 1.2 m interior / 2.4 m exterior.
Parking: 1 stall per dwelling unit, capped at a maximum of 3 stalls per property. No minimum parking for lots within 400 m of a prescribed bus stop. Stalls must be independently accessible.
SSMUH is by-right in Port Coquitlam — no rezoning hearing — but a SSMUH Development Permit (form and character) is required before a Building Permit. Single residential plus secondary suite is exempt from the DP requirement. Duplex and coach-house design guidelines have been consolidated into a new Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Development Permit Area; minor siting variances are delegated to the Director of Development Services.
An extension to December 31, 2025 was granted for one sub-area: the district west of Shaughnessy Street bounded by Fraser and Manning Avenues (Lougheed/Shaughnessy), designated for apartment use and pending transit-oriented planning. That extension has now expired; confirm current status with the City.
Heritage-designated properties, lots larger than 1 acre, lots not connected to municipal water and sewer (including ALR lands), lots inside a Transit-Oriented Area (around Coquitlam Central, Lincoln, and Port Coquitlam Station — these require separate rezoning for higher density), and hazard lands where a qualified professional certifies material unmitigable risk. A full excluded-property list is in Attachment 3 of the staff report.
Port Coquitlam lot in an RS1–RS4 zone with SSMUH multiplex potential
4-unit
$1.74M
1619 STELLA PLACE
4 bd · 3 ba · 2,553 sqft
Lot: 21,916 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$4.24M
745 CAPITAL COURT
7 bd · 6 ba · 6,439 sqft
Lot: 14,542 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$5.7M
2397 ATKINS AVENUE
Lot: 14,499 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$5.7M
2397 ATKINS AVENUE
Lot: 14,499 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.85M
2176 LAURIER AVENUE
6 bd · 4 ba · 2,848 sqft
Lot: 12,453 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.79M
2155 PRAIRIE AVENUE
5 bd · 2 ba · 2,400 sqft
Lot: 12,408 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.7M
3047 OXFORD STREET
3 bd · 1 ba · 1,632 sqft
Lot: 12,078 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.5M
1747 SALISBURY AVENUE
4 bd · 3 ba · 1,680 sqft
Lot: 11,682 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.5M
1741 SALISBURY AVENUE
2 bd · 1 ba · 988 sqft
Lot: 11,682 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.39M
1856 WINDERMERE AVENUE
4 bd · 3 ba · 2,150 sqft
Lot: 11,549 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.55M
3141 RALEIGH STREET
5 bd · 3 ba · 2,248 sqft
Lot: 11,388 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.4M
1827 HARBOUR STREET
Lot: 10,958 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.4M
1827 HARBOUR STREET
2 bd · 2 ba · 2,677 sqft
Lot: 10,958 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.4M
1827 HARBOUR STREET
2,462 sqft
Lot: 10,958 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$2.29M
2076 CLARE PLACE
10 bd · 7 ba · 4,540 sqft
Lot: 10,845 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$2M
3040 WELLINGTON STREET
8 bd · 4 ba · 3,542 sqft
Lot: 10,492 sq ft
Up to 6 units
$4M
2556 PALISADE CRESCENT
5 bd · 8 ba · 7,592 sqft
Lot: 10,258 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.4M
1455 FLORA PLACE
4 bd · 3 ba · 2,271 sqft
Lot: 10,239 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.5M
1759 WARWICK AVENUE
3 bd · 2 ba · 1,990 sqft
Lot: 10,230 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.5M
1624 COQUITLAM AVENUE
5 bd · 4 ba · 2,318 sqft
Lot: 10,170 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.4M
1447 COLUMBIA AVENUE
6 bd · 3 ba · 2,815 sqft
Lot: 10,094 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$2M
3326 3330 FINLEY STREET
10 bd · 6 ba · 5,393 sqft
Lot: 9,440 sq ft
Up to 4 units
$1.69M
1790 WESTMINSTER AVENUE
5 bd · 3 ba · 2,805 sqft
Lot: 9,380 sq ft
Up to 6 units
$1.6M
1616 EASTERN DRIVE
4 bd · 3 ba · 2,386 sqft
Lot: 9,321 sq ft
Up to 4 unitsListings updated daily from MLS® data. “Potential units” badge is an estimate based on lot size and SSMUH rules — always verify with the city before purchasing.
SSMUH zoning has changed what’s possible on lots across Port Coquitlam. Sebastian can walk you through what your property qualifies for and what that means for its value — whether you want to build, sell, or simply understand your options.
Talk to SebastianHow many units can I build on my Port Coquitlam lot?
Under Bylaw 4374: 3 units on lots 280 m² or less; 4 units on lots between 280 m² and 1 acre; 6 units on lots over 280 m² that are within 400 m of a prescribed frequent-transit bus stop (generally the Lougheed Highway corridor). Lots 1 acre or larger are not eligible for SSMUH.
Do I need to rezone to build a multiplex in Port Coquitlam?
No. Bylaw 4374 amended all RS1–RS4 zones so the multiplex entitlement is already in place. You apply for a SSMUH Development Permit (form and character review) and then a Building Permit — no separate rezoning hearing is required.
Does the 6-unit rule apply near my PoCo lot?
Only if your lot is within 400 m of a prescribed frequent-transit bus stop (a stop with 15-minute-or-better scheduled service). Port Coquitlam’s qualifying stops are generally along the Lougheed Highway corridor; the legally binding boundary is Schedule D of Bylaw 4374. Check the official map or contact the City before designing for 6 units.
What is the catch? What stops a PoCo multiplex project?
The main practical barriers are: ensuring the lot has adequate municipal water and sewer connection; confirming you are not inside a TOA (Transit-Oriented Area) where different rules apply; and the Development Permit design-review step for duplexes and triplexes. Compared to Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam has fewer infrastructure-capacity complaints, but each lot should still be assessed. Parking is 1 stall/unit (max 3) except near transit where no minimum applies.
Is my PoCo lot near the Lougheed transit corridor for 6 units?
The 6-unit tier requires your lot to be within 400 m of a bus stop where at least one route runs every 15 minutes during prescribed hours. The City describes this as “generally along Lougheed Highway.” The legally controlling map is Schedule D of Bylaw 4374 — confirm your specific lot address with the City’s planning department or the official schedule before proceeding on 6-unit assumptions.
What is an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) and does it count toward my unit total?
An ADU (the renamed “coach house”) is a secondary dwelling on the same lot as a principal building. In Port Coquitlam, ADUs up to 90 m² are FSR-exempt. On a lot with a single-family home, an ADU and a secondary suite can bring the total to 3 units — the smallest category under SSMUH. ADUs on lots with duplex or triplex principals can further extend unit counts toward the 4 or 6 maximum.
This page is general information about SSMUH zoning and is not legal, development, or municipal planning advice. Lot eligibility, unit counts, and setback requirements must be verified directly with Port Coquitlam and a qualified architect or planner before purchasing or proceeding. MLS® figures are from current Tri-Cities board data. Sebastian Czarkowski is a licensed REALTOR® (BCFSA). Last updated June 2026.