Do you want to open a child care facility in the City of Port Coquitlam? The City frequently receives requests from individuals or groups interested in establishing child care operations in Port Coquitlam.
When getting started:
- Explore opportunities for financial assistance from the Province.
- Research the type of facility you wish to operate, including the number of children, age groups, hours of operation and type of space you wish to use (your home, commercial unit, place of worship, school, etc.). Review Provincial Community Care Facility licensing regulations and contact Fraser Health Authority to learn more about child care programs and requirements. It is also helpful to develop a business plan and research other existing child care facilities in the area.
- Consult PoCoMAP to determine the zoning of the property you want to use for the child care facility, and review the Zoning Bylaw for applicable regulations.
- Review the Parking and Development Management Bylaw to determine parking requirements.
- Consult with a registered architect or engineer knowledgeable with the BC Building Code for residential and assembly occupancies to determine if any interior or exterior renovations to the proposed space will be needed. If renovations are required, apply for a Building Permit. If exterior renovations are needed, a Development Permit may also be required to ensure the form and character of the building and landscaping comply with the design guidelines set out in the Official Community Plan.
- Review the strata bylaws, if applicable, to determine if there are any specific restrictions for child care facilities. Likewise, if you wish to operate out of an institutional building (e.g. place of worship or school), contact the institution to discuss your proposal and acquire the appropriate approvals from stratas, schools, places of worships.
- Review the Child Care Policy [PDF/126KB] and Rezoning application [PDF/493KB] requirements and process if wishing to change the existing zoning of the property in order to construct a larger child care facility.
- Review application requirements for a Port Coquitlam Business Licence. A business licence is required if caring for more than 2 unrelated children.
- Review the Sign Bylaw for regulations and apply for a sign permit if applicable.
The Province regulates child care facilities through the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and the Child Care Licensing Regulation. The ChildCareBC website contains information about the types of child care facilities, funding opportunities for operators and lower fees for families.
Any facility where child care is provided to three or more children who are not related by blood or marriage or a sibling group is considered a Community Care Facility and must be licenced by the Province. The Fraser Health Authority administers licensing on behalf of the Province for the Tri-Cities region.
You can discuss your proposal with a Licensing Officer and ask questions about the child care licensing regulations and the provincial application process. They will likely direct you to speak to the City and apply for a business licence prior to applying for the provincial licence.
However, it is important to work with the Licensing Officer to understand the provincial child care regulations at this stage. The Fraser Health Authority website contains information about regulations, standards of practice and other information vital to operating a child care facility.
Child care facilities are located throughout Port Coquitlam in residential neighbourhoods, commercial areas and institution facilities such as schools and places of worship.
To operate a child care in Port Coquitlam you must ensure your proposal complies with the City’s zoning requirements. Check PoCoMAP for the property’s zoning and then review the Zoning Bylaw to determine what regulations are applicable to your proposed facility.
Child care may be provided in a home when accessory to a residential use (meaning the primary use of the building is the residence of the child care operator) in the following zones:
- Agriculture – A
- Single Residential – RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4
- Duplex – RD
- Townhouse – RTh1, RTh2, RTh3
- Rowhouse – RRh
- Apartment – RA1, RA2
- Community Commercial – CC
- Comprehensive Development – CD – if included as permitted accessory use
Regulations for accessory child care facilities within a dwelling unit include:
- The business licence holder must reside in the dwelling unit.
- The child care facility must have direct exterior access (not through a common corridor or elevator).
- Secondary suites and accessory home businesses are not permitted in a dwelling with a child care facility.
- Child care facilities are not permitted in coach houses.
- Child care facilities within an RS zone may accommodate a maximum of 25 children at one time. Please refer to the Building Regulations section below if considering caring for more than 8 children.
- Child care facilities within an A, RD, RTh, RRh, RA, NC, and CC zone may accommodate a maximum of 8 children at one time within the dwelling unit.
Facilities where child care is the primary or main use not located in a dwelling unit are permitted in the following zones:
- Neighbourhood Commercial – NC
- Community Commercial – CC
- Commercial Recreation – RC – accessory to a golf course use
- Townhouse – RTh1, RTh2, RTh3 – located on site, but not in dwelling unit
- Apartment – RA1, RA2 – located on site, but not in dwelling unit
- Institutional – P1, P2
- Comprehensive Development – CD – if included as permitted use
Regulations for child care facilities not within a dwelling unit include:
- The facility must be located within a portion of a building that is not used for residential purposes.
- The facility must comply with the requirements of the BC Building Code for assembly occupancy. Please refer to the Building Regulations section below for more information.
- In the RTh, RA, NC and CC zones, a maximum of 50 children may be cared for at one time.
- In the CC zone, only one child care facility is permitted within a commercial premises per building.
Refer to Subsection 8 in the Supplementary Regulations section of the Zoning Bylaw for detailed regulations about child care facilities.
For more information about the zoning regulations, contact the Planning Division at 604.927.5442 or [email protected].
Any building used as a child care facility must comply with the Building and Plumbing Bylaw, the BC Building Code and other related safety regulations.
For child care facilities within a dwelling unit and caring for eight children or less:
- The child care facility will be considered part of the dwelling unit.
- Child care facilities separated from the rest of the dwelling unit may require safety upgrades such as a second exit or code-complying, hard-wired smoke alarm(s) that are wired to sound simultaneously between the facility and dwelling unit. Please enquire with the Building Division to determine necessary upgrades or if records exist for past alterations or additions.
For residential (RS) zoned properties to be used to care for more than eight children:
- Applicants should enquire with the Building Division to see if building permit record drawings exist and whether permits were obtained for alterations or additions.
- Applicants should retain a registered architect to determine the necessary upgrades to the space to comply with an assembly occupancy under the BC Building Code.
- A building permit application with drawings and supporting documents may be required depending on the types of upgrades needed. (see Build or Renovate a Structure).
- Construction may begin when the Building Permit is issued, and other permits may be required by the contractors as work proceeds.
For commercial (NC, CC) and institutional (P1, P2) zoned properties:
- Applicants may enquire with the Building Division to see if building permit record drawings exist and whether permits were obtained for alterations or additions.
- Applicants should enquire with the Building Inspector regarding the occupancy classification under the BC Building Code.
- Applicants should retain a registered architect to determine if improvements are needed to the space to comply with an assembly occupancy under the BC Building Code.
- If improvements are needed, applicants may need to submit a building permit application with drawings sealed by a registered architect and supporting documents (see Tenant Improvements).
- Construction may begin when the Building Permit is issued, and other permits may be required by the contractors as work proceeds.
- A Building Inspector can provide general information regarding type of upgrades to expect, however, an experienced and registered architect is a good start to obtain detailed information.
For more information about the building regulations, contact the Building Division at 604.927.5444 or [email protected].
All child care facilities caring for three or more unrelated children operating within the City of Port Coquitlam require a City of Port Coquitlam business licence and approval to operate from Fraser Health. First you must determine that your daycare proposal will comply with all municipal and health regulations, then you may apply for a business licence.
The Business Licensing Division will work with other City departments to complete the first review of your application followed by the necessary on-site inspections.
Building, Plumbing and Fire Inspectors will inspect the property to assess the following:
- If the premises comply with building regulations –a Building Permit application may be required if more than eight children will be cared for in the facility. The permit must be issued and the work must be inspected throughout construction process. A business licence will not be issued at an address with an open building permit.
- If there is a secondary suite or accessory home business in the dwelling (these uses are not permitted in a dwelling with a child care facility).
- Whether code-complying, hard-wired smoke alarms are installed in the dwelling and child care area and are interconnected to sound simultaneously.
- Whether acceptable exits are provided, and
- If other fire, safety or health risks are addressed.
For more information, contact Business Licensing at 604.927.5238 or [email protected].
Once any issues with the application are resolved, the Business Licensing Division will recommend you submit your Community Care Facility Licence application to Fraser Health Authority, although these applications can be reviewed concurrently.
The Licensing Officer will process your application by assessing the proposed facility and program licencee/manager, conducting routine inspections, and investigating complaints and reported incidents.
Once your Community Care Facility licence has been issued, confirm this with the City’s Business Licensing Division to have your business licence finalized.
For more information about the Community Care Facility Licensing process, contact Fraser Health Authority at 604-949-7701.
Additional resources and training are available through the YMCA Child Care Resource & Referral program.