Municipal permitting reference
How building permits work in Montreal
Montréal building permits are issued at the borough level (arrondissement). Each borough has its own zoning by-law, fees, and timelines, all under the Quebec Construction Code.
- Responsible authority
- Borough (Arrondissement) Permit Counter
- Indicative planning range
- Residential: 30–90 days. Commercial / new build: 90–180+ days.
Planning orientation only; not a municipal service guarantee.
Typical permitting sequence
- 1
Identify borough
Determine which arrondissement governs the property — each has its own permit office and zoning rules.
- 2
Zoning compliance
Confirm proposed use matches the borough zoning grid. PIIA / heritage districts require design review.
- 3
Submit application
Most boroughs use the Montréal Permis web portal. Plans must be sealed by an OAQ architect when required by law.
- 4
Review
Borough reviews plans for code, zoning, and (where applicable) design.
- 5
Permit issuance & inspections
Pay fees, receive permit, and pass inspections at key stages.
Common permit categories
- • Transformation / Rénovation
- • Construction Neuve
- • Démolition
- • Occupation
- • Affichage (Sign)
Local considerations
- • Heritage protections under the Loi sur le patrimoine culturel can substantially extend timelines.
Primary municipal reference
Use the municipality's site for authoritative forms, fees, current service standards, codes, portal access, and project-specific requirements.
Open the official Montreal permit resourceAnalyze actual permit activity
Compare this process overview with current municipality-reported filing counts, permit types, maps, neighborhoods, and address history.
View Montreal, QC permit statistics