Building maintenance: Your obligations as an owner

Last updated December 9, 2025
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Do you own an industrial, commercial, institutional or residential building? Montréal’s by-laws require you to maintain and protect your building to ensure its long-term sustainability.

As set out in by-law 23-016, it is prohibited to allow a building to deteriorate.

Maintenance standards

For any building

Here are examples of what requires minimal maintenance, whether your building is occupied or vacant: 

  • The exterior envelope (including, but not limited to, the roofing, exterior walls, foundations, mortar pointing, sealant)
  • Exterior elements (including, but not limited to, the cornice, terraces, balcony, staircases, gutters)
  • Structural elements (including, but not limited to, beams, foundations)
  • Openings (including, but not limited to, doors, windows, roof access, hatches)
  • Backflow stop valve
  • Plumbing systems
  • Heating systems

Regular inspection and adequate protection against water and moisture can prevent the need for major restoration work and extend the life of your building.

For vacant buildings

To optimize maintenance of your vacant building, you should avoid these situations that could worsen its condition: 

  • Periods of prolonged vacancy
  • Non-functioning heating system, which exposes the building to freezing and thawing
  • Water infiltration or leaks that can lead to significant damage to the building envelope or structure
  • Faulty maintenance or monitoring that makes it more vulnerable to intrusion and vandalism 

To avoid intrusions into the building, deterioration of the building, the risks of unsanitary conditions and the negative effects on the neighbourhood, you must: 

  • Ensure that the building is closed and protected from intrusion and, if necessary, barricade it using a suitable technique
  • Provide exterior lighting for access to the building.
  • Keep a minimum temperature of 10°C indoors.

Fines for violations

Municipal by-laws are now stricter with respect to owners who do not maintain their building or let it deteriorate. Fines range from $1,000 to $40,000. For a historic building, the fine could be up to $250,000.

Mandatory registration of a vacant building

As of January 1, 2026, you will need to register any vacant buildings. Learn about the procedure for registering your building.

Available subsidies

Here are several financial assistance programs to support you if you need to undertake expensive renovations: 

Residential buildings

Non-residential buildings 

Historic buildings 

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