Hardscaping Contractor in New Westminster
New Westminster is the oldest city in Western Canada, built on a steep hillside overlooking the Fraser River. From the heritage streetscapes of Queen's Park to the floodplain island of Queensborough, the city packs dramatic elevation changes and tight lot constraints into one of Metro Vancouver's most compact municipalities. Hardscaping here is rarely flat and never simple.
The terrain defines the work. Uptown and Queen's Park sit on a pronounced slope that makes retaining walls a standard part of nearly every renovation. Queensborough is a low-lying floodplain island with unique height restrictions and flood control requirements. Sapperton and the West End feature older homes on narrow lots where maximizing usable outdoor space means working within tight setbacks and strict 35% site coverage limits.
New Westminster has the second-strictest retaining wall permit trigger in Metro Vancouver — walls over just 0.91m (3 feet) require a building permit, catching many homeowners off guard. Combined with mandatory drain tile on all new walls and a ban on weep holes, proper engineering and drainage design are non-negotiable here. We build every New Westminster project to meet these requirements from day one.
Neighbourhoods We Serve
Local Regulations You Should Know
Retaining Wall Permits — 0.91m (3 ft) Trigger
New Westminster requires a building permit for retaining walls over 0.91m (3 ft) from footing to top of wall — stricter than the BC standard of 1.2m. Walls within 1.22m of interior property lines are limited to just 0.61m (2 ft). All new walls require drain tile installation, and weep holes are banned unless approved by a City Plumbing Inspector.
Source: Zoning Bylaw §190.11.1 + Building Bylaw 8125
Fence Heights — Front, Side, and Rear Limits
Front fences and side fences forward of the house face: 1.22m (4 ft) maximum. Side fences past the front face and rear fences: 1.83m (6 ft). Corner lot vision clearance requires 0.91m (3 ft) within 4.57m of the intersection. No building permit required for standard fences.
Source: Zoning Bylaw §190.12
Tree Protection — 20cm Threshold with 2:1 Replacement
All trees with 20cm+ diameter at breast height are protected. Non-hazardous removals require 2:1 replacement (two new trees per tree removed). Security deposits range from $669.50 to $772.50 per tree depending on resident status. Specimen trees over 60cm can cost up to $12,617.50 in security. Always check for protected trees before quoting.
Source: Tree Bylaw 7799, 2016
Fire Pit Rules — Gas Only, No Wood
All open-air fires are prohibited. Gas and propane fire pits are permitted since June 2020 with no permit required, provided they are CSA/ULC approved, installed per manufacturer's instructions, and set 3.0m from combustibles. Charcoal is for cooking only (BBQ), not recreational fire pits.
Source: Fire Protection Bylaw 6940
Heritage Zones — Queen's Park RS-4
Properties in the Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area (RS-4 zone) may require additional heritage review for exterior work, including hardscaping that affects the streetscape. Advanced Category heritage houses get higher floor space allowances but face more design scrutiny.
Source: Zoning Bylaw §313
Permit Fees in New Westminster
| Permit Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Building Permit Application Fee | $165.00 non-refundable minimum |
| Building Permit (up to $50K value) | $18.00 per $1,000 of construction value |
| Tree Removal Permit | $103-$206/tree + $128.75 application |
| Demolition Permit (accessory building) | $165.00 + waste fees |
Fees are approximate and may change. Contact 604-527-4580 for current rates.