Apply for a preliminary study of a project concerning a building

Last updated May 14, 2024

Do you want to demolish, build or convert a building? The preliminary study is a low-cost way to guide you through the process. Complete this step before you pay for all the documents you need when you apply for a permit.

Permit applications are usually submitted to various committees or to your borough council before being approved. A preliminary study checks whether the application is eligible. If you are planning to build or demolish a building, or apply for a minor exemption, a special construction project, or approval under special construction, modification or occupancy project for a building, the preliminary study will let you know whether your project meets the basic criteria. 



For the moment, only the boroughs of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Plateau-Mont-Royal and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension provide a procedure to follow.

My borough

Shows borough content for
Find a borough to filter the list of search content.

No borough selected.

Prior to submitting an application for a building construction or transformation permit or a signage certificate, you can obtain a preliminary study. The preliminary study is a document in which your urban planning team gives its opinion on your project. It will indicate if your project is eligible to make an application.

If you want a minor variance (sometimes called a minor exemption or derogation), the preliminary study will also determine if your request is justifiable.

The analysis included in the preliminary study is not a final opinion. The final decision by the demolition committee, urban planning advisory committee or the borough council may be different from the conclusions of the preliminary study.

Steps

 Here are the usual steps for an application for a preliminary study:

  • Meeting with a clerk and/or professional at the permit counter or by video conference
  • Submission of your request for a preliminary study
  • Examination of your application’s compliance
  • Analysis of the application
  • Preparation of a positive or negative assessment
  • Receipt of the result of the preliminary analysis

Response time

The preliminary study process takes a few weeks; this varies depending on the type of project.

Fee

$397

Required documents

  • Preliminary study application form issued by the borough
  • Certificate of location
  • Preliminary project presentation documents, such as plans, volumetric drawings, photomontages
  • For a demolition application, an engineer’s report that describes the condition of the building and a review of its heritage value

Apply

Comptoir des permis

514-872-3020

555 Rue Chabanel Ouest
Suite 600
Montréal, QC H2N 2H8

Information coming soon.

Steps

 Here is what usually happens when you apply for a preliminary study:

  • You meet with someone at the permit counter
  • You file your application for a preliminary study
  • The urban planning division checks that your application is compliant
  • The division evaluates your application 
  • The division approves or rejects the proposed project 
  • You receive the result of the preliminary analysis

Submit a request

In person

5160 Boulevard Décarie
Montréal, QC H3X 2H9

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.

The purpose of the preliminary review application is to check the eligibility of a special project such as a specific construction, modification or occupancy project for an immovable or a minor exception, before submitting a formal application. 

In the case of a project that is not compliant with the purpose of legislation, this procedure allows you to avoid paying the cost of submitting an application, which is much greater. If the project is eligible, the cost of the preliminary review will be deducted from the fee to be paid at the time of the formal application, if the latter is made within six months of receiving a favourable opinion.

Steps

The preliminary review process is as follows: 

  • Meeting with someone from the permit office
  • Discussion with the urban planning team (recommended) 
  • Submission of the preliminary review application
  • Application eligibility is assessed by the urban planning team
  • A favourable or unfavourable opinion is issued

Response time

The preliminary review process takes a few weeks and varies according to the nature of the project. 

Fees

Amount payable for the preliminary review: $1,093

Information

[email protected]

Document

Required documents

  • Preliminary review application form
  • Certificate of location
  • Documents providing an overview of the current situation and the proposed project, such as plans, volume sketches and photomontages (architectural plans are not required at this stage)
  • Justification of the application, including the positive contribution that the project will have in its immediate environment

Communication channels

In person

Point of service

201 Avenue Laurier Est
Fifth floor
Montréal, QC H2T 3E6

A request for a preliminary study is used to evaluate the admissibility of a project that does not comply with the Borough’s urban planning regulations, e.g. a special construction, modification or occupancy project for a building (abbreviated in French as PPCMOI) or a minor variance (sometimes called a minor derogation). This request is made prior to submitting an official application.

By using this procedure, you can avoid paying the deposit fees for an application which would cost much more, decide whether to start one of the procedures provided for by law, and get guidance at the very beginning of your project.

No preliminary study application can be submitted for a demolition request.

Steps

The preliminary review process is as follows:

  • Discussion with the urban planning team (recommended) 
  • Submission of the preliminary review application
  • Application eligibility is assessed by the urban planning team
  • A favourable or unfavourable opinion is issued

A preliminary decision is not definitive. The final recommendation from the Urban Planning Advisory Committee (CCU) and the decision by the borough council (CA) may be different from the conclusions of the preliminary study.

Response time

The preliminary review process takes a few weeks and varies according to the nature of the project. 

Fees

Type of project

Amount

Project to construct or transform a floor area greater than 500 sq. m.

$2,705

Zoning modification request

$6,316

Any other project

$662

Required documents

  • Preliminary review application form
  • Certificate of location
  • Documents providing an overview of the current situation and the proposed project, such as plans, volume sketches and photomontages (architectural plans are not required at this stage)
  • Justification of the application, including the positive contribution that the project will have in its immediate environment
  • Power of attorney, if needed

Information

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.

Before applying for a permit to construct or convert a building, you can obtain a preliminary study. If you want a minor exemption, the preliminary study may also determine if your request is justifiable.

The preliminary study document contains the Service de l’urbanisme’s assessment of your project.

This assessment is not definitive. The decision of the Urban Planning Advisory Committee or the borough council may be different from the conclusions of the preliminary study.

Steps

  • Meeting with someone at the permit counter
  • Submission of the preliminary study request
  • Examination of your application’s compliance
  • Analysis of the application
  • Preparation of a positive or negative assessment
  • Result of the preliminary analysis

Response time

The preliminary study process takes a few weeks and varies depending on the type of project.

Fees

These fees will be deducted from the amount you will have to pay if you then make an official request for a permit.

Type of project

Amount

Minor exemption

$1,085

SCAOPI (specific construction, alteration or occupancy project for an immovable)

$1,300

Conditional use

$750

Modification to an urban planning by-law

$2,400

Required documents

  • Form issued by the borough
  • Certificate of location
  • Preliminary project presentation documents (e.g., plans, volumetric drawings, photomontages)

Communication channels

In person

4241 Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
Montréal, QC H1H 1S4

Payment method

Click on the place to see accepted methods of payment.

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.

You can apply for a preliminary study before submitting an application for your project.

This step allows you to avoid paying much higher fees if your project does not comply with the spirit of the regulations.

If your project is eligible, the cost of the preliminary study will be deducted from the fee payable when you submit your project application.

Steps

The preliminary review process is as follows: 

  1. You meet with someone at the permit counter
  2. Meeting with someone from the permit office
  3. You file your application for a preliminary study
  4. The division evaluates your application 
  5. The division approves or rejects the proposed project 

Response time

The preliminary review process takes a few weeks and varies according to the nature of the project. 

Fees

Amount payable for the preliminary review: $1,611

Required documents

  • Preliminary review application form
  • Certificate of location
  • Documents providing an overview of the current situation and the proposed project, such as plans, volume sketches and photomontages (architectural plans are not required at this stage)
  • Justification of the application, including the positive contribution that the project will have in its immediate environment

Document

Communication channels

4555 Rue de Verdun
Suite 109
Montréal, QC H4G 1M4

Information coming soon.

Before applying for a permit to build or convert a building, you can apply for a preliminary study. The preliminary study is a document in which the urban planning division gives its opinion on your project. It will let you know whether you can get a permit to carry out the project.

If you want to get a minor exemption, the preliminary study can also tell you whether you qualify for one.

The analysis presented in the preliminary study is not a final opinion. The demolition committee, the urban planning advisory committee or the borough council may make a different decision.

Steps

 Here is what usually happens when you apply for a preliminary study:

  • You meet with someone at the permit counter
  • You file your application for a preliminary study
  • The urban planning division checks that your application is compliant
  • The division evaluates your application 
  • The division approves or rejects the proposed project 
  • You receive the result of the preliminary analysis

Timeline

The preliminary study process takes a few weeks. The response time may be longer or shorter, depending on the project.

Fees

Cost of the preliminary study: $685.

This cost will be deducted from the fees if you later apply for an official permit

Document

Required documents

  • Preliminary study application form provided by the borough
  • Certificate of location
  • Preliminary documents presenting the project, such as plans, volume sketches, and photo montages
  • In the case of a demolition application, an engineering report describing the condition of the building and a heritage value assessment

Renseignements

Permit counter – Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc Extension

514-868-3509

405 Avenue Ogilvy
Suite 111
Montréal, QC H3N 1M3