Apply for project approval under article 89 of the city charter

Last updated December 14, 2022

Would you like to carry out a special or major project that is not compliant with a borough’s urban planning legislation? Article 89 of the city charter provides for applications for exceptions.

Learn more about what types of projects are eligible, how to submit an application and evaluation criteria.

The procedure set out in article 89 of the city charter provides for certain types of projects to be carried out even if they are not compliant with the borough’s urban planning legislation. These types of project are: 

  1. Community or institutional facilities: Arts/cultural facilities; hospitals; public educational institutions; colleges or universities; convention centres; detention centres; cemeteries; regional parks; and botanical gardens. 
  2. Major infrastructures: Airports, ports, train stations, switching yards or water treatment or filtration plants.
  3. Residential, commercial or industrial facilities that are located in the business centre or, if they are located outside the business centre, have a floor area that is greater than 15,000 m2.
  4. A dwelling for people who need assistance, protection, medical care or lodging, in particular through a social housing program implemented under the Act respecting the Société d’habitation du Québec.
  5. A historic building that has been classified or cited as set out in the Cultural Heritage Act, or for which the proposed site is located on a classified, declared or cited historic site within the meaning of this act. 

The project must comply with the objectives and provisions set out in Montréal’s Urban Plan.

In some cases, the project may be the subject of a public consultation led by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM). To learn more about the public consultation procedure, please refer to Montréal’s city charter or visit the OCPM Web site.

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Presenting an application

Your article 89 application for authorization must be preceded by a meeting with a person responsible for issuing permits in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. This person will confirm which exceptions to the legislation are required for your project and will guide you to the applicable procedure. 

Preliminary review

It is recommended that any project application under article 89 of the city charter undergo a preliminary review by a borough professional to ensure it is compliant with the city’s and the borough’s orientations, plans and strategies. 

The application must be initiated with the form for preliminary review provided by the borough and must include all required documents as well as fees payable.

Submitting your application

Applications under article 89 of Montréal’s city charter must be submitted in writing to the chief of the borough’s Division de l’urbanisme, du patrimoine et des services aux entreprises. The application must include the completed authorization application form provided by the borough, all required documents and the fee payable in full. 

Processing time

Assessment and processing time for an application for authorization under article 89 may vary from six to 10 months once an application has been submitted, excluding the preliminary review. To learn more about the stages of your application, please see the procedure for approval. 

Evaluation criteria

An application under article 89 of Montréal’s city charter is assessed according to the following criteria: 

  • Compatibility and mitigation of impacts on the environment
  • Quality of integration (implementation, volumetrics, density, site development)
  • Advantages of proposals to integrate or demolish existing buildings and preservation or enhancement of original architectural elements 
  • Enhancement of outdoor spaces and plants 
  • Environmental impacts (sun, wind, noise, emanations, traffic) 
  • Functional organization quality (parking, access, safety)
  • Advantages to cultural or social components
  • Feasibility with regards to planned schedule
  • Maintenance, compliance or enhancement of views towards and from Mount Royal

Documents

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Submitting an application

Your application for authorization under article 89 must be preceded by a meeting with a development advisor who will identify the legal exceptions needed to carry out the project, confirm its eligibility and ensure that your application is complete.

Preliminary review

It is recommended that any project application under article 89 of the city charter undergo a preliminary review by a borough professional to ensure it is compliant with the city’s and the borough’s orientations, plans and strategies. 

The application must be initiated with the form for preliminary review provided by the borough and must include all required documents as well as fees payable.

Submit your application

You must submit your application for authorization under article 89 at the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie Accès Montréal office’s permit counter.

Your application must include the completed application form provided by the borough, all supporting documentation and payment for application fees.

Processing time

Assessment and processing time for an application for authorization under article 89 may vary from six to 10 months once an application has been submitted, excluding the preliminary review. To learn more about the stages of your application, please see the procedure for approval.

Evaluation criteria

An application under article 89 of Montréal’s city charter is evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Contribution to the quality of public space
  • Improving the urban landscape
  • Reducing environmental impacts
  • Contributing to the enhancement of built heritage
  • Any other contribution to the objectives set out in Montréal’s Urban Plan and municipal policies.

Document

Communication channels

5650 Rue D'Iberville
Second floor
Montréal, QC H2G 2B3

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Présentation d’une demande

Votre demande d’autorisation d’un article 89 doit être précédée d’une rencontre avec une conseillère ou un conseiller en aménagement, qui identifiera les dérogations à la réglementation requises pour la réalisation du projet et qui s’assurera que votre demande est complète.

Votre demande de rendez-vous doit être faite par courriel à l’adresse : [email protected].

Dépôt de la demande

Vous devrez déposer votre demande d’autorisation d’un article 89 au comptoir des permis du bureau Accès Montréal – Ville-Marie ou par courriel.

Cette demande doit comprendre le formulaire de demande d’autorisation fourni par l’arrondissement dûment rempli, la totalité des documents à joindre et le paiement du tarif en vigueur.

Le paiement peut être fait par chèque (libellé à l’ordre de la « Ville de Montréal ») ou au comptoir par carte de crédit, chèque ou comptant.

Traitement de la demande

Les délais d’analyse et de traitement liés à la demande d’autorisation d’un article 89 peuvent varier de 4 à 10 mois à partir du dépôt d’une demande complète. Pour en savoir plus sur les différentes étapes, consultez la procédure d’approbation.

Critères d’évaluation

Une demande en vertu de l’article 89 de la Charte de la Ville de Montréal est évaluée notamment selon les critères suivants :

  • contribution à la qualité de l’espace public; 
  • amélioration du paysage urbain;
  • réduction des impacts environnementaux;
  • contribution à la mise en valeur du patrimoine bâti;
  • toute autre contribution du projet à l’atteinte des objectifs énoncés dans le Plan d’urbanisme de la Ville de Montréal et dans les politiques municipales.

Pour en savoir plus

Communiquez avec le comptoir des permis de Ville-Marie.

Documents

Communication channels

Point de service

800 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Est
Ground floor
Montréal, QC H2L 4L8

Legislation

Presentation of an application

Your application for Section 89 authorization must be preceded by a meeting with the person responsible for issuing Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension permits. That person will check what variances (sometimes called derogations) from regulations are required for completion of the project and will guide you on the applicable procedure.

Preliminary review

In order to properly start the processing for an application under Section 89 of the Montréal charter, the project must first undergo preliminary study by a Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension professional, to verify the compliance of the request to the major municipal and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension goals, plans and strategies.

To start the request, use the preliminary study application form, provided by Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, include the necessary documents and pay the current fee.

Time frame

Analysis and processing times related to a Section 89 authorization can be from six to ten months from the time the application is submitted, excluding the preliminary analysis.

Fees

Review fees must be paid when the application is submitted. They are calculated according to the type of application and the size of the existing or projected building. Contact the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension permit and inspection counter to verify the fee.

Building footprint (floor) of project

Price (no taxes)

Less than 500 sq. m.

$2,522

From 500 sq. m. to 4,999 sq. m.

$12,070

From 5000 sq. m. to 9,999 sq. m.

$21,936

From 10,000 sq. m. to 24,999 sq. m.

$39,632

Equal to or greater than 25,000 sq. m.

$34,563

Building occupancy

Price (no taxes)

$2,522

Modification of a project

Price (no taxes)

Less than 500 sq. m.

$2,522

500 sq. m. and greater

$4,442

Informations

311

Outside of Montréal: 514-872-0311

Monday to Friday: From 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Point of service

405 Avenue Ogilvy
Suite 111
Montréal, QC H3N 1M3