Coquitlam proposes tough new penalties for street use and traffic violations

The City of Coquitlam is moving forward with a major update to its Street and Traffic Bylaw that would raise dozens of fines, introduce new offences, and expand enforcement powers across parking, sidewalks, scooters, trucks, noise, and street occupation. The decision is to be discussed in the Dec 8 meeting at 2:00 PM.

According to documents released by the City of Coquitlam, the proposed changes are tied to updates to Street and Traffic Bylaw No. 4402 and a new consolidated fine schedule based on a comparison with Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Saanich and New Westminster. The overhaul is intended to modernize a framework first adopted in 2014 and amended several times since.

If approved by the council, the new fine structure would apply to drivers, cyclists, electric scooter users, pedestrians, commercial operators, and contractors working on public streets. City officials state the goal is to strengthen safety, improve traffic flow, and align penalties with regional standards.

The updated bylaw also reinforces existing rules around speed limits, idling, truck routing, sidewalk use, and street occupancy, while giving bylaw officers expanded authority to issue tickets and impound vehicles with repeated unpaid violations. Maximum court-imposed fines under the Offence Act could reach as high as $50,000 for serious or repeated breaches.

Parking, sidewalk safety, and street-use violations targeted with major fine increases

Parking and stopping violations account for the largest share of proposed fine increases. Stopping where prohibited would rise from $25 to $50 at the discounted rate and $100 at full penalty. Parking where prohibited would increase to $35 discounted and $70 at full penalty.

Stopping or parking in an alley would double to $50 discounted, while stopping in passenger zones and loading zones would also double to $50 discounted and $100 at full penalty. Parking in an accessible zone would rise sharply to $100 discounted and $150 at full penalty.

Several new parking-related offences would be created, including stopping against a curb, improper angle parking, leaving vehicle wheels turned incorrectly on a slope, and moving a vehicle within one block to avoid 48-hour or timed parking limits. These new offences would carry proposed fines ranging from $35 to $70.

Sidewalk and multi-use pathway enforcement would also increase significantly. Driving on a sidewalk would increase to $100 discounted and $150 at full penalty. Operating a vehicle on a multi-use pathway would carry the same penalty.

Cyclists and electric kick scooter users riding on sidewalks would face $30 discounted fines. Wearing headphones while riding, riding without a bell, or riding contrary to the Motor Vehicle Act would also result in $30. Failing to yield to pedestrians on multi-use pathways would rise to $50 discounted and $100 at full penalty, while cycling without reasonable consideration would become a new offence.

Pedestrian behaviour is also addressed in the new schedule. Fines would increase for leaving the curb without due consideration, failing to yield to vehicles outside crosswalks, and jaywalking near marked crossings.

Street occupation, unauthorized construction, and traffic control violations carry some of the steepest proposed penalties. Unauthorized construction on streets would rise from $150 to as much as $500. Breaching permit conditions would also increase to $400–$500.

Using a closed street, closing a street without a permit, or diverting traffic without authorization would all carry proposed fines of up to $500. New penalties would also apply for failing to protect excavation sites, placing cables or hoses across streets and sidewalks without permission, conducting repairs to vehicles on streets outside emergency situations, and performing street work without an approved traffic control plan.

According to the City of Coquitlam, these changes are intended to deter unsafe practices that place pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers at risk while disrupting traffic flow.

Commercial vehicles, noise, idling, and enforcement powers also expanded

Commercial vehicle enforcement would expand under the proposed update. The bylaw formally incorporates several provincial vehicle equipment standards, meaning municipal officers would be able to ticket commercial operators for violations related to lights, brakes, cargo securement, and safety equipment.

New fines for equipment violations would range from $75 to $150, depending on the offence. Oversized and overweight vehicles would face a tiered fine structure, with penalties climbing to $500 at full penalty for the most severe violations.

Truck routing rules remain in effect, limiting trucks to designated routes and specific delivery time windows in certain corridors. Exemptions would continue for emergency vehicles, city vehicles, and permitted service vehicles.

Vehicle noise and idling are also addressed. A new fine category would target amplified vehicle alarms that sound longer than three minutes, with proposed penalties of $100 to $150. The city’s three-minute idling limit would remain unchanged, with exemptions for emergency vehicles, refrigeration units, armored vehicles, parades, and passenger loading.

Environmental violations would also carry higher penalties. Allowing oil, gasoline, or grease to leak onto the roadway would result in $100–$200. Letting water flow onto streets or depositing dirt and debris without removal would also result in increased fines.

The updated bylaw reaffirms the citywide default speed limit of 50 km/h, 30 km/h in school and playground zones, and 20 km/h in alleys. Engine braking remains prohibited except in emergencies. Vehicles may not be used as living quarters on public streets.

Bylaw enforcement officers, peace officers, and police officers retain authority to stop vehicles, issue notices, and impound vehicles with three or more outstanding tickets regardless of whether the vehicle is otherwise legally parked. Each day of non-compliance may be treated as a separate offence under the bylaw.

According to city documents, the proposed fine increases are based on a municipal scan of enforcement levels across Metro Vancouver. Officials say the intent is to ensure consistency, improve compliance, and strengthen deterrence without relying solely on education.

The consolidated bylaw document itself does not have the force of law until formally adopted by the council. A final vote on the updated fine schedule has not yet been announced.