Apply for project approval under article 89 of the city charter

Last updated August 24, 2023

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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This service is not offered in this borough.

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This service is not offered in this borough.

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This service is not offered in this borough.

This service is not offered in this borough.

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

In person

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

This service is not offered in this borough.

This service is not offered in this borough.

Make an appointment to submit 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 possible to apply for a preliminary review to ensure that your project is in line with our orientations, plans and strategies.

You will need to complete the approval application form, include all required documents and pay the applicable fee.

Submit your application

You must submit your application for authorization under article 89 at the Verdun 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. Turnaround times can sometimes be longer than expected.

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 Verdun permit and inspection counter to verify the fee.

Building footprint (floor) of project

Price (no taxes)

Less than 500 sq. m.

$2,709

From 500 sq. m. to 9999 sq. m.

$12,960

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

$23,554

Equal or greater than 25 000 sq. m.

$37,112

Building occupancy

Price (no taxes)

Building occupancy, without new construction

$2,709

Modification of a project

Price (no taxes)

Less than 500 sq. m.

$2,709

500 sq. m. and greater

$4,770

Document

Learn more

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.

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

Visit the permit counter to make an appointment with an advisor from the city’s Division de l’urbanisme.

Presenting 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.

Your request for an appointment must be sent by e-mail to the following address: [email protected].

Submit your application

You must submit your application for authorization under article 89 at the Ville-Marie Accès Montréal office’s permit counter or by e-mail.

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

Payment can be made by cheque (payable to “Ville de Montréal”) or at the counter by credit card, cheque or cash.

Processing time

Assessment and processing time for an application for authorization under article 89 may vary from 4 to 10 months once an application has been submitted. To find out more about the steps involved, read the approval procedure mentioned below.

Evaluation criteria

An application under article 89 of Montréal’s city charter is assessed 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.

To learn more

Contact the Ville-Marie permit counter.

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.

$2,709

From 500 sq. m. to 9,999 sq. m.

$12,960

From 5000 sq. m. to 24,999 sq. m.

$23,554

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

$37,112

Building occupancy

Price (no taxes)

Building occupancy without new construction

$2,709

Modification of a project

Price (no taxes)

Less than 500 sq. m.

$2,709

500 sq. m. and greater

$4,770

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