Here are the key elements to know for approval under a SPAIP.

Steps

• Submission of your project at the permit counter
• Review by the permit and urban planning teams
• Presentation to the urban advisory committee (UAC) for recommendation to the borough council
• Signature of the delegated decision
• Issuance of the permit

Processing time

Please allow for two to four months for a SPAIP application to be processed, as of the date on which the completed application is submitted at the permit counter.

Fees

The following SPAIP processing fees are added to the permit fee, based on the nature of the application. They are neither taxable nor refundable.

• For work on the appearance of the building: $314
• For a building construction or expansion project, based on the floor area: 
  • Less than 10 m²: $314
  • 10 to 250 m²: $617 
  • 250 to 500 m²: $928 
  • 500 to 2,500 m²: $1,850 
  • 2,500 m² or more: $3,699

By phone

In which cases should I apply?

These projects must be submitted for approval under a site planning and architectural integration program in certain areas of the borough:

• Construction and expansion
• Exterior modification of the main façade of an existing building 
• Modification to parking areas or loading/unloading zones 
• Building an exterior terrace

Evaluation criteria

Projects are evaluated according to the following criteria: 

• The project’s architectural value
• Harmonious integration of the project into its surroundings
• Contribution to a safe, structured and attractive environment for pedestrians

By phone

• By-law concerning architectural integration and implementation plans (in French)

In which cases should I apply?

Approval under a site planning and architectural integration program in certain areas of the borough is required prior to undertaking the following types of work:

• Construction or exterior modifications of a building
• Installing a sign or parabolic antenna in Old Lachine
• Subdivision

In all areas of the borough, approval under a site planning and architectural integration program is required before undertaking work on the following types of buildings: 

• Commercial 
• Industrial
• Mixed-use (both residential and commercial portions) 
• Residential with four or more dwellings
• Buildings that are part of a residential project with at least two side-by-side lots 
• Public and institutional

Steps

• Your application is submitted for evaluation to the urban planning advisory committee, which meets every three months. 
• The committee will send its opinion to the borough council within 15 days following its evaluation. The committee may suggest changes to the project.
• The borough council will approve or refuse the application after it considers the committee’s opinion.
• You will be informed of the committee’s opinion and the borough council’s decision. 

Fees

Fees to evaluate your application depend on the estimated cost of the work. 

• Work valued at less than $10,000: $100
• Work valued at $10,000 or less than $30,000: $300
• Work valued at $30,000 or more: $500
• If the project involves cadastral operations: $100

Modification to a site planning and architectural integration program that has already been approved:

• Work valued at less than $10,000: $50
• Work valued at $10,000 or less than $30,000: $150
• Work valued at $30,000 or more: $250

In person

• By-law amending the by-law concerning implementation plans (in French)

Approval under a site planning and architectural integration program is required in certain areas of the borough before undertaking several types of work.

Fees

Review of a new application or changes to a SPAIP that has already been approved:

Residential building with one to four dwellings: $250
Residential building with five or more dwellings: $500
Commercial, industrial, community or mixed-use building: $500

See also: Site planning and architectural integration program in LaSalle (in French)

By phone

In all areas of the borough, the project must be approved under a site planning and architectural integration program before undertaking construction and expansion work.The site planning and architectural integration program also applies to work involving the appearance of a building or buildings with historic interest.

See also: Site planning and architectural integration program in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal (in French)

By e-mail

• By-law concerning ural integration and implementation plans in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal (in French)

In which cases should I apply?

Approval by SPAIP is required in all sectors of the borough for the following types of construction work: 

• New construction
• Extension on a building façade 
• Work on a building visible from the Lachine Canal or from the street adjacent to the property
• Extension on a rear wall that corresponds to 50% or more of the area of the existing building and is more than one storey high
• Expansion on a roof, within certain parameters
• Expansion on a roof if the building is located on a corner lot or adjacent to a street or alley
• Expansion into a significant area
• Modification of an architectural component due to: 
  • Non-compliance with the National Building Code 
  • An addition to a dwelling or premises 
  • A change of use 
• The addition or modification of an architectural component on buildings with the “concierge” or “apartment building” typology (see Appendix O of Planning By-law 01-280 for more details 
• Most types of work performed on the exterior envelope of historical buildings designated as “buildings of architectural significance” and the land on which they are located: 
  • Replacement, addition, removal or transformation of an architectural component. 
  • Installation, modification, replacement or demolition of a sign. 
  • Installation of mechanical equipment 
  • Replacement, transformation, extension or construction of a fence, gate, wall, low wall, path, terrace, planting or terracing (referred to as a “landscape component” in the SPAIP by-law) 
• Work performed in the front yard of a building located in an area of exceptional value. 
• Signage 

Expansion and construction includes land expansion,

Determine the landscape unit of a building

A landscape unit is a collection of streets, lots and buildings that are relatively uniform in architectural type, whether along major thoroughfares, in residential blocks or around parks and public spaces. Each landscape unit forms a coherent and homogeneous whole as perceived by a passer-by. It is similar to the notion of a neighbourhood. Certain types of landscape units may restrict approval under an SPAIP (French: PIIA)

Determining special provisions 

A special provision within the meaning of the SPAIP by-law identifies a specific area or feature within the borough, such as views of interest, bodies of water, sites of archaeological interest, natural environments and specific planning areas, such as Griffintown, the Ateliers ferroviaires de la Pointe-Saint-Charles and the Saint-Henri village cores.

Use the interactive map: select the “Zonage et PIIA” layer and click on the desired location to view the landscape unit and the fact sheets that contain special provisions that apply to your project.

Steps

• An agent at the permit counter will make sure that your project is compliant with all borough by-laws. He or she will provide you with information about the site planning and architectural integration program.
• To prepare your application, we suggest you work with an architectural specialist at your own expense. 
• Once the permit counter receives your application, the staff will evaluate it before submitting it to the urban planning advisory committee.
• The urban planning advisory committee submits its opinion.
• Depending on the cost of the work to be performed, your file may be submitted to the borough council. 

Fees

Non taxable

Review of a site planning and architectural integration program: 

• Construction, one to five dwellings: $947
• Construction, six to 19 dwellings: $1,301
• Construction, 20 to 99 dwellings: $1,924
• Construction, 100 dwellings or more: $3,225
• Non-residential construction or conversion project: $1,924
• Other: Signs, architectural components, mural art, etc.: $209

In addition to the cost of the permit, you must pay a file review fee.

Required documents

You must attach these documents to your application:

• existing and proposed land development plans, illustrating the location of buildings, the layout of outdoor spaces, plantings, parking spaces and traffic and service areas:
  • these plans must also include any development, installation, equipment and furniture of the public domain adjacent to the land;
• the details of the type of planting proposed, in the case of a landscape component;
• a survey and a characterization study of the existing vegetation;
• photos of the context and the building in question;
• 3D views and photomontage to assess the views for a building located on the route of a view of interest or along the riverside route or a waterfront (see the special provisions in Appendix A for more details);
• the technical sheet(s) of the replaced components.

You must attach the following documents to your application under a single presentation document, for construction or an extension, in addition to those listed above:

• plans, sections and elevations of the project in preliminary version (30% progress) 
• elevation in color and to scale, of the facades facing the street showing the neighboring buildings which allows to appreciate the quality of the integration; a color perspective may be necessary
• drawings, photographs of your building and neighboring buildings and photomontages or perspectives illustrating the relationship of the projected constructions with the neighboring constructions, including the height and detail of the parapets. Views must show a pedestrian’s view and a bird’s eye view 
• choice of materials for all elements of the construction or extension, for example:
  • model, color and size of exterior cladding materials (brick, mortar, sills, lintels, metal cladding, slate, etc.) 
  • type of doors and windows (casement, sash), color and material 
  • model of stair, balcony or terrace railing (material, color, dimensions) 
• a sunshine study demonstrating the impacts of the project, at the equinoxes and solstices, at 9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. The study must distinguish the new shadow from the existing one
• a description of the proposed energy-efficient measures, including passive and active approaches, in the implementation or appearance of the project or in the development of the land
• a document explaining the conceptual approach on which the project is based, as defined in Appendix B entitled “Conceptual Approach”
• For an extension targeting a significant typology (shoebox house, veteran’s house or village house), documentary research including the information provided in Appendix C entitled “Documentation - Heritage Interest” - Consult the 2 guides below to find out the terms and conditions to follow.
• For a building located in an area of ​​archaeological interest, archaeological documentation, as described in Appendix D entitled “Documentation - Archaeological Interest”
• For a building located in Griffintown or along the Lachine Canal, a lighting plan
• For a building with a height greater than 23 m, a study on wind impacts.

Do not hesitate to submit any other document or information to allow a better evaluation of your project.

• PDF file Maison de type shoebox - Guide pour les travaux et agrandissements (in French) [PDF 1 MB]
• PDF file Maisons de vétérans - Guide pour les travaux et agrandissements (in French) [PDF 2 MB]
• PDF file Maison villageoise - Guide pour les travaux et agrandissements (in French)

By e-mail

• By-law concerning architectural implementation and integration plans (in French)
• By-law concerning urban planning (in French)
• By-law concerning the construction and conversion of buildings
• By-law concerning fees (in French)

In which cases should I apply?

Some projects require approval under a site planning and architectural integration program.

By phone

• By-law concerning architectural integration and implementation plans (in French)

When you apply for a permit for your building, your project may require approval of a site planning and architectural integration plan (SPAIP). 

Our team at the permit counter will then send your file to the urban planning division, who will contact you to begin the approval process.

In person

In which cases should I apply?

The following types of work require approval under a site planning and architectural integration program: 

• Replacing doors and windows:
  • On buildings along Boulevard Gouin Est, in the area known as “La voie panoramique et patrimoniale”
  • If you add doors and windows or replace them by models of different dimensions

Steps

• Submit your project to the permit counter
• Analysis by the permits team and the urban planning team
• Presentation to the Advisory Committee on Planning (ACP) for a recommendation
• Adoption by the borough council of a resolution (or delegated decision)
• Issuance of permit

Response time

Three to five months from the time you submit a complete application to the permit counter.

Fees

Fees to study the SPAIP are added to the permit fee as a function of the type of application (obtain information from the counter staff).

• PDF file Request for approval under a SPAIP (PIIA) – Montréal-Nord (in French) [PDF 280 KB]

In person

• By-law concerning architectural integration and implementation plans (in French)

In which cases should I apply?

• Antenna may require approval under a site planning and architectural integration program .
• In some zones, all subdivision permit applications first require approval under a site planning and architectural integration program.

See also : Guide to Outremont’s new by-laws concerning the site planning and architectural integration program (in French)

• PDF file Processing of a SPAIP application (in French)

By phone

Check to find out whether your permit or authorization certificate application must be approved under an architectural integration and implementation plan. Before you apply, contact your permit counter to find out what you need to do.

In which cases should I apply?

In the borough, some projects, such as land development, new buildings or projects that affect the architectural appearance of an existing building may require approval under a site planning and architectural integration program.

By phone

• By-law concerning architectural integration and implementation plans (in French)
• Zoning by-law (in French)
• By-law concerning the construction and conversion of buildings

When should I apply?

Some projects, such as the construction of new buildings, additions to existing buildings and work that affects the architectural appearance of a building or building of heritage interest, require approval under a site planning and architectural integration program.

The complete list of work subject to the site planning and architectural integration program can be found in section 671 and following of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie’s urban planning by-law (01-279).

Evaluation criteria

Depending on the nature of the work being done and the sector of the borough, projects are evaluated based on various criteria, such as:

• Project’s architectural integration 
• Degree of homogeneity of the immediate surroundings 
• How well the building contributes to strengthening, maintaining or evolving the built environment
• Ability to enhance, protect or enrich the architectural, natural and landscape heritage

The complete objectives and analysis criteria for each category of project are available upon request at the permit counter, by consulting a building officer.

Steps

1. Meet with a building officer to gather preliminary information
2. File the complete permit application at the permit counter
3. Building officer analyzes the application
4. Direction du territoire et des études techniques issues an opinion
5. Urban planning advisory committee makes a recommendation
6. Project reviewed, based on the conditions set by the urban planning advisory committee (if required) and decision summary produced
7. Direction endorses and signs the decision summary
8. Building officer completes the analysis
9. Permit issued

• PDF file Fiche d’information PIIA Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie (in French) [PDF 3 MB]

In person

• Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie’s urban planning by-law (01-279)

In which cases should I apply?

Some types of work that have an effect on the visible facade of an existing building or affect land development may require approval under a site planning and architectural integration program.

See also: Submit a permit request to Saint-Laurent

By e-mail

• By-law concerning zoning (in French)
• By-law concerning nuisances (in French)

In which cases should I apply?

The following types of work require approval under a site planning and architectural integration program: 

• Construction or expansion of a building with more than three floors and an area of more than 925 m² (except in certain commercial zones)
• Construction or expansion of the front yard of a single-family building if the lot is located inside or outside a curve 
• Construction or expansion of a single-family building on an angular lot if there is at least one building on the neighbouring lot 
• Construction or expansion of a main building or its expansion, if the area is increased by more than 50 per cent (in some areas) 
• Construction, expansion or modification of a building’s exterior in the COOP area 
• Modification of the facade of a single-family residential building or multiplex, except in the COOP area, except if it involves replacing a window, door or a balcony and its staircase 
• Modification of the facade of a commercial, industrial or mixed-use building, if it is semi-detached or adjacent
• Demolition or modification of a building located in an area with exceptional historic value or in an urban area of interest
• Installation of a new sign on a building on Rue Jean-Talon Est

Evaluation criteria

Projects are evaluated according to the following criteria: 

• Construction or modification of a building does not alter the character of an area of the borough or a group of buildings 
• Architectural consistency
• Harmony with the adjacent building or buildings in the neighbourhood 
• The nature of siding or cladding materials
• Location of entrance doors on a facade

Steps

• Projects that are subject to approval under a site planning and architectural integration program are reviewed when the permit application is submitted and evaluated. An review fee for the architectural integration and implementation plan is charged in addition to the permit fee. 
• Once all documents and payment have been received, processing time is around three months. This is in addition to the time required to process a permit application.

Fees

Review of a new application or changes to a SPAIP that has already been approved:

• Residential building with one to eight dwellings: $215
• Residential building with six or more dwellings: $1,300
• Commercial, industrial, community or mixed-use building: $1,300
• Display: $215

• PDF file Request for approval under a SPAIP (PIIA) - Saint-Léonard (in French) [PDF 152 KB]
• PDF file Site Planning and Architectural Integration Program sheet - Saint-Léonard (in French) [PDF 122 KB]

By phone

Which types of projects require a site planning and architectural integration plan?

Here are some examples.

• Erecting a building
• Expanding a building
• Adding a penthouse
• Addition, removal or alteration of architectural components on the main façade, such as a protruding element, opening or crown
• Installing a sign or display
• Reconfiguration or alteration of a commercial alcove to allow universal access

Fees

Below are the review fees for applications with a site planning and architectural integration plan: 

• Antenna installation: $632 
• Architectural modification: $553 
• Parking space: $774
• All other : $553
• For applications that involve erecting, converting or expanding a building, the review fees are calculated according to floor area: 
  • Up to 200 m2: $828 
  • Between 201 m2 and 500 m2: $1,105 
  • Between 501 m2 and 2,500 m2: $2,209
  • Over 2,500 m2: $5,525

• By-law concerning fees (in French)

Site planning and architectural integration plan (SPAIP) approval is required in some areas of the borough before undertaking certain projects. A SPAIP is necessary if the project affects the appearance of a building or a building of historic interest that is visible from public property.

What types of construction need to be submitted for approval? 

Any project that is visible from the street, such as: 

• New buildings 
• Building expansion 
• Replacing doors, windows or cladding 
• Signs 
• Landscape projects on declared or classified historic sites 
• Changes to architectural features

Landscape units and historic buildings 

The borough is divided into landscape units that are used to characterize the dominant architectural and urban characteristics of each sector. These characteristics generally involve the location and volume of buildings, the types of crowning, the proportions of openings and their rhythm, visible cladding materials, etc. The map of landscape units is available in Appendix A of the Ville-Marie borough planning by-law (01-282) (in French). 

Project evaluation criteria 

The project evaluation criteria differ depending on the landscape unit or whether it is a building of historic interest. Generally, a project must meet the following criteria: 

− Compliance with municipal planning, architectural and design orientations, objectives, plans and policies 
− Architectural integration qualities 
− Effectiveness of the elements aimed at reducing shade and wind effects 
− Effectiveness and integration qualities of elements aimed at minimizing the impacts of vehicle, pedestrian and universal accessibility traffic 
− Ability to enhance public places and create a safe environment 
− Ability to enhance, protect or enrich architectural, archaeological, natural and landscape heritage 

Apply for a permit 

After meeting with a built environment officer who has checked to make sure the project is compliant and your application is complete, you can apply for a permit in 2 ways. 

Online, for the following permits: 

• Roofing 
• Doors and windows 
• Balconies, staircases and other protrusions 
• Exterior cladding 
• Tree felling 
• Pools 
• Interior renovations 
• Commercial signs 

In person, at the permit counter of the borough’s Accès Montréal office. 

Evaluation and processing times for a permit application can vary from 1 to 3 months from the time you submit a complete application.

By e-mail

• Ville-Marie urban planning by-law (in French) (01-282)

In which cases should I apply?

Site planning and architectural integration program (SPAIP) is an authorization procedure required to obtain several kinds of conversion and construction permits. Depending on the zone in which your property is located and the type of work you are planning, whether it is a facade repair, an addition or installation of a sign, you may have to apply for SPAIP approval to obtain your permit. This requirement applies even if your project has already required another type of authorization, such as for a demolition, a minor variance, a conditional use or a special project. 

In addition, certain types of work are subject to SPAIP approval regardless of the zone in which the property is located. For example, all new construction and additions visible from the street are subject to the SPAIP, except for industrial buildings.

To find out if your project is covered by the SPAIP approval procedure, contact your local permit counter.

Steps

• Submission of your application at the permit counter
• Analysis of the project by the permits team and the urban planning team
• A presentation is made to the Comité consultatif d’urbanisme (CCU - the planning advisory committee) for recommendation
• Adoption of a resolution by the borough council (or a delegated decision)
• Delivery of the permit

Timeline

The processing of an SPAIP application takes approximately 2 to 4 months from the time the complete application is received at the permit counter.

The time frame is slightly shorter for certain applications that do not have to be submitted to borough council, such as signs and rooftop structures

Fees

An SPAIP analysis fee, which depends on the nature of the application, is added to the permit fee. To determine the costs, ask at the permit counter.

• For a building-related project, based on floor area: 
  • less than 10 m²: $484
  • from 10 to 249 m²: $773
  • from 250 to 499 m²: $1,205
  • from 500 to 2499 m²: $2,132
  • 2500 m² or more: $3,775
• Tree, walkway, fence, gate or wall of heritage interest: $319
• Certificate of occupancy, subdivision permit, parking area or loading zone: : $319
• Putting up a sign: $319
• Parking area with 20 or more spaces, multi-level parking: $484

Modification of a SPAIP :

• If the project is not compliant: $1,030
• If the project is compliant but has not yet begun: $484

• PDF file Fiche PIIA - VSP (in French) [PDF 1 MB]

By phone