Information for Developers
All subdivision of land in the City of Port Coquitlam is governed by the Subdivision and Zoning Bylaws. These Bylaws set out subdivision requirements such as minimum lot dimensions, specifications for construction, subdivision procedures, etc.
The following is a step by step guide to what happens in the subdivision process in Port Coquitlam. The steps listed below represent a complete and complex subdivision. Some of the steps could be omitted, depending on the nature of the specific subdivision.
Note
Many of the links provided below link to documents in Acrobat PDF format 
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The information on this page does not supercede the relevant bylaws, and the developer is cautioned to read the bylaws and their latest amendments to obtain authoritative information on the process.
Step 1 (Developer)
Check with Planning Division to see whether the property has the correct zoning for the proposed use. If not, make application for rezoning. (Reference: Zoning Bylaw, No. 3630)
Step 2 (Developer)
Check with the Parks and Recreation Department to see whether 5% park dedication or cash-in-lieu will be requested. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Section 304)
Step 3 (Developer)
The Developer may make an application for preliminary layout review of his subdivision through the Engineering and Operations Department. This step is not compulsory but is advised for any but the simplest subdivisions as this will allow the Developer to find out whether the layout is acceptable to the Approving Officer prior to spending money for survey or application fees. The application is made on a standard form and must be accompanied by a sketch showing the proposed layout and other details as listed in the Bylaw. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Sections 501-503)
Step 4 (City)
The Approving Officer evaluates the proposal and may reject the subdivision layout, give preliminary layout acceptance or request changes or further information from the applicant. (Reference: Bylaw 2241: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Sections 504-506)
Step 5 (Developer)
Provide any further information or changes as requested in the letter of preliminary layout acceptance so that the application can be processed.
Step 6 (Developer)
Hire a BC Land Surveyor (check the Yellow Page Business listings for local surveyors) to prepare a subdivision plan in accordance with the layout accepted in a form acceptable to the Land Title Office. This plan does not need to show field posting of lot lines at this stage but must show accurately calculated dimensions of all lots based on existing legal plans. (Reference: Land Title Act, Section 67)
Step 7 (Developer)
Executes Schedule E of Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Sections 504-506.
Step 8 (Developer)
Make a formal application for subdivision through the Engineering and Operations Department on the standard form provided accompanied by two copies of the surveyor's subdivision plan and by an application fee based on the number of lots in the proposed subdivision. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Sections 507-511)
Step 9 (Developer)
The Developer's Consulting Engineer prepares a conceptual servicing plan following the design criteria stipulated in the Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw showing works which must be constructed by the Developer as part of the subdivision requirements, an itemized estimate of the cost of such works, and submits these to the Approving Officer. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Sections 401-408)
Note
Works that are normally required to be done throughout the subdivision as part of the subdivision requirements are as follows:
- Extensions of all City utilities with connections to each lot
- Construction of paved roads with curbs and landscaped boulevards
- Underground BC Hydro, Telephone, and Gas
- Street Lighting
- Sidewalks
Step 10 (City)
The Approving Officer sends a letter to the Developer giving tentative approval to the subdivision subject to certain conditions which will be specified in a Tentative Approval Letter. These conditions may include deposit of a Letter of Credit in trust for works to be done by the Developer, payment of cash for Development Cost Charges (see schedule of rates), prepayment of City taxes, provision of rights-of-way, a development variance permit, etc. This Tentative Approval is valid for 90 days.
The Tentative Approval means that the Approving Officer is committed to approving the subdivision plans once the necessary conditions have been met. Thus the Developer can commit himself financially without fear of his subdivision being rejected because of layout problems. If the property also requires rezoning, the Developer would be wise to wait until his rezoning has had at least third reading from Council before proceeding further. To be absolutely certain of rezoning, the Developer would need to wait for fourth reading of the Rezoning Bylaw.(Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Sections 512-516, Bylaws 1652, 1736, 2298, 2363, 2378)
Step 11 (Developer)
Hire a BC Land Surveyor (check the Yellow Page Business listings for local surveyors) to complete the subdivision plans for registration. This includes posting in the field. (Reference: Land Title Act, Section 67)
Step 12 (Developer)
Hire a Consultant Professional Engineer (check the Yellow Page Business listings) to design the works specified in the Tentative Approval Letter. (Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Schedule C, Design Criteria)
Step 13 (Consultant)
Submit engineered drawings to the Engineering and Operations Department for checking. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Schedule C, Design Criteria)
Step 14 (City)
Review the Consultant Engineer's drawings for compliance with the ultimate servicing plans for the area and the Subdivision Bylaw. These drawings are either accepted or sent back to the Consultant for correction and resubmission. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Schedule C, Design Criteria)
Step 15 (Developer)
All remaining requirements of the Tentative Approval Letter must be completed at this time. This includes cash and Letter of Credit deposits, signing of the required Developer's Agreement and Latecomer Waiver Charge Agreement, and any other required documents. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Section 517)
Step 16 (City)
If rezoning is required, final reading of the Rezoning Bylaw would be given at this stage. (Reference: Zoning Bylaw, No. 2240)
Step 17 (City)
The Approving Officer signs the subdivision plans and returns them to the Developer for registration in the Land Title Office. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Section 519-521)
Step 18 (Developer)
The plans must be registered within 60 days of the Approving Officer's signature. Note: Building Permits cannot be issued for the lots created until the subdivision plan has been registered. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Section 522)
Step 19 (Developer)
Arrange a contract at a cost to be negotiated with a competent contractor to construct the required works. Note: This step may include work to be done by BC Hydro and Telus. (Reference: Sample Developer’s Agreement - Section 2(a))
Step 20 (Developer)
Hire the Consultant Professional Engineer who did the design to do survey layout and site supervision and to prepare as-constructed drawings. (Reference: Sample Developer’s Agreement)
Step 21 (Developer)
Selects street names for any new streets in the subdivision in accordance with guidelines set by the Planning Division.
Step 22 (Developer)
Arrange a Pre-construction Meeting between Contractor and the City. The Contractor is responsible for constructing the required works to City specifications and the Developer shall call for inspections as required during construction. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Schedule D)
Step 23 (City)
City crews will make any necessary connections and tie-ins to the City utilities, which are paid for in cash by the Developer.
Step 24 (City)
When the works have been completed to the satisfaction of the Director of Engineering and Operations, the City releases up to 90% of the Letter of Credit, retaining 10% of the original estimated cost of the works to cover maintenance for a period of one year from date of completion and any other balance to cover deficiencies in accordance with the schedule of release. (Reference: Schedule of Releases (Schedule C, Developer's Agreement) and Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Section 414)
Step 25 (City)
Release the 10% maintenance deposit after one year upon satisfactory correction or any problems which have arisen during the maintenance period. (Reference: Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw, No. 2241, Section 414)
For more information, contact:
Engineering and Operations
Tel 604.927.5420
Fax 604.927.5407
Email engineering@city.port-coquitlam.bc.ca
Location and Mailing Address
City Hall Annex, (beside City Hall)
200 - 2564 Shaughnessy Street
Port Coquitlam BC V3C 3G4
Business Hours
8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays)
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