The City of Coquitlam has a comprehensive process for reviewing development permit applications. The applications are reviewed at several levels from various city departments and the City Council. All applications for development permits are processed by the City’s Planning and Development Department.
Getting approval to develop a property in Coquitlam involves several steps. In order to make your application process easier, we’ve listed the steps you need to take to get your project going, and explain how and when Simple Sign can help facilitate this process for you.
How to Apply for a Development Permit in Coquitlam
Step 1: Pre-Application Review
The first step in acquiring a development permit from the City of Coquitlam is to review your proposed development’s adherence to all City plans, policies, and regulations that are applicable. These include official community plans, zoning by-laws, and engineering requirements. If your proposed development also requires a change in zoning, check out Simple Sign’s Guide on Applying for a Rezoning Permit in Coquitlam.
Step 2: Prepare and Submit Your Development Permit Application
When filling out the application, ensure that all guidelines have been met in order to reduce processing time and improve your application’s chance of approval. Ensure to include all supporting documents.
The Development Application form is available online here, and can be submitted to Coquitlam’s Planning and Development Department.
Step 3: Initial Review of Your Development Application
Your development application will be assigned to a file manager from the Planning and Development Department for a comprehensive review on guidelines for developments and zoning. After this initial review, if there is any missing resources or information the planner will request for submission of these documents.
Your application is also reviewed by other involved city departments and outside agencies for further analysis and comments. During this review, you may have to provide additional documents for clarification or make revisions to your application.
Step 4: Requirement of Development Application Signs
At this point, the City of Coquitlam will request for the applicant to install one or more development application signs on their property that notifies other landowners and community members of your plans, and that an application has been submitted.
The City will send the applicant a letter to outline how many signs are required and also the exact text which should be included on the development application sign(s). This process often means dealing with the hassles approval, dealing with sign shops and the annoyance of building frames to display your signs properly.
The team at Simple Sign can use this letter from the city planner to create the graphic design for the sign and install the development sign quickly and at a competitive price point.
Simple Sign is also able to proof any development sign information to ensure it meets requirements and submit sign information directly to the City for approval.
We guarantee the installation of development signs within 3 business days, removing the burden of handling signage design and installation from your busy schedule.
Step 5: Further Review of Application by the DRT
After the initial review of your development application, the file manager schedules the application to be reviewed by the Development Review Team (DRT). This team reviews the project for objectives in the development’s area and will offer recommendations for revisions to the proposal before it reaches Council. After the DRT reviews the application, the file manager will send you a requirements letter indicating any changes or revisions needed to the application before it can be approved.
Step 6: Issuance of Development Permit and Building Permit Application
Authorization of development is usually granted by the General Manager of Planning and Development. In some cases, a final review and decision will be conducted by the City Council. In this case, the DRT will create a report for the Council for review. If Council has any issues with the proposed project it may be sent back to the Planning and Development Department for revisions. Otherwise, it is approved or denied. Issuance of the development permit will be granted and you may proceed with a building permit.
