How to apply

You must go in person to the permit counter to submit your permit application and all the required documents. 

Applications are reviewed by a demolition committee, which determines if they are eligible. Depending on the nature of the project, your application could be exempt from this procedure and the permit could be issued in a more timely manner, notably when there is significant loss due to a fire.

Required documents

You must include the following documents and information with your application:

• Address of the building cited in the application.
• Photos of the building facades and the surrounding area.
• The number of occupancies in the building and the area they cover.
• The harm caused to tenants, the need for dwellings in the area, and the possibility of relocating tenants when the building includes one or several dwellings.
• The measures planned to relocate tenants or the date on which the dwelling became vacant, if applicable.
• The grounds justifying the application for authorization to demolish.
• If applicable, the preliminary cleared land reuse program (new construction plans), including the plans required to verify its compliance with regulations.
• The demolition and reconstruction schedules, if applicable.
• The certificate of location.
• A study of the building’s heritage value (in certain cases).
• A report on the condition of the building, determining the deterioration of its architectural appearance, aesthetic character, and the quality of life of the neighbourhood.
• The cost of the restoration.
• Payment of the fees set out in the borough’s annual by-law on fees for a demolition permit and for the removal of curb cuts, sewer walling, and the disjunction of the water service connection.

Fees 

Processing and review fees: 

• To review a permit application to demolish a building other than an accessory building whose use is accessory to the dwelling: $3,175.00
• To review an application to demolish an outbuilding whose use is accessory to the dwelling: $162
• To review an application to demolish a building located on a heritage site declared or classified under the Cultural Heritage Act (RLRQ, chapter P-9.002) and subject to the Act respecting the Conseil du patrimoine de Montréal (02-136): $3,175.00
• All other cases: $665

In person

How to apply

You must make an appointment at the permit counter to obtain a demolition authorization certificate. You can submit the application, together with all the required documents and information, at that counter.

In most cases, before the request for an authorization certificate can be reviewed, the property owner must submit to the demolition committee a preliminary program of how the freed-up site will be used.

Anyone who wishes to oppose issuance of a demolition authorization certificate must contact the permit counter.

Examples of buildings that may be subject to a demolition project:

• Non-conforming building constructed on the same parcel as a main building, and located behind the latter
• Building without foundations
• Building of which more than 50 per cent of its volume (excluding foundations) has been destroyed by fire or other cause
• Building whose demolition is required to complete a previously authorized construction or landscaping project
• Outbuilding whose use is accessory to the dwelling, unless it is part of a property of heritage value
• Building used exclusively as a service station, or for the repair and maintenance of road vehicles, or as a car wash
• Building constructed illegally
• Hazardous building

Required documents

You must include the following documents and information with your application:

• Name and address of property owner or their representative, if applicable
• Address of the building cited in the application
• Photos of the building facades and the surrounding area
• The number of occupancies in the building and the area they cover
• The measures planned to relocate tenants or the date on which the dwelling became vacant, if applicable
• The grounds justifying the application for authorization to demolish
• The preliminary cleared land reuse program (new construction plans), including the plans required to verify its compliance with regulations
• The demolition and reconstruction schedules, if applicable
• Proof of payment of fees and costs
• Any other document relevant for analysis of the application

Fees

You must pay certain fees related to the analysis of:

• A demolition authorization certificate
• Removal of a driveway entrance
• Sewer closure and removal of water line connection
• Posting and publishing of a public notice

Monetary guarantee

In order to obtain a certificate of authorization for demolition, you must provide a fifty thousand dollar ($50,000) guarantee.

What’s a demolition?

A building is considered demolished when more than 50% of the combined exterior wall and roof area of the building is destroyed. This includes the area of doors, windows, stairwells and other openings. However, it does not include foundation walls or party walls.

To avoid eviction of tenants and to protect existing buildings, some of which are of heritage interest, demolition is an exceptional measure. 

It is accompanied by a replacement project evaluated by the demolition committee, which may impose conditions such as a time frame for completion of the work, the conservation of certain elements or the reduction of impacts on the milieu.

How do you apply for a permit?

You must make an appointment with your borough permit counter and submit your application with all required documents.

Required documents

For all demolition requests:

• Name and address of the owner
• Letter of power of attorney (if the applicant is not the owner)
• Address of the subject building
• Reasons for the request
• Demolition and reconstruction schedule
• Any other document necessary for the analysis of the application.

For an application submitted to the demolition review committee:

• Photographs of the walls of the building facing a public road and of its surroundings
• Number and size of uses made of the building
• Certificate of location
• Expert report on the general condition of the building
• Study of the heritage value of the building
• Where the building contains one or more dwelling units, a document setting out the relocation arrangements for each tenant
• Preliminary cleared land reuse program including plans required to verify compliance with regulations.

Evaluation criteria

The demolition committee evaluates applications based on these criteria:

• The condition of the subject building
• Deterioration of the architectural appearance, aesthetic character and quality of life of the neighbourhood
• Cost of restoration
• Projected use of cleared land
• Where the building contains one or more dwelling units, the prejudice caused to tenants (housing needs in the area and the possibility of relocating tenants)
• Heritage value of the building.

Steps to Follow

1. Meeting and information gathering at the permit counter
2. Filing the application
3. Analysis of the proposal
4. Presentation to the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for preliminary guidelines
5. Publication of a public notice and posting, 15 days before the demolition committee meeting
6. Holding of the demolition committee meeting
7. 30-day period to appeal the committee’s decision:

• If no appeal, issuance of certificate of authorization
• If appealed, presentation to borough council for decision.

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• By-law governing the demolition of buildings (in French)

Information coming soon.

For more information or to submit a project, contact our permit counter team.

In person

What is a demolition?

Any action which brings about the total or partial destruction of the structure of a floor, exterior walls or roof of a building.

An application for a demolition authorization certificate is required for any such action and they must be submitted to the demolition request review committee.

While a demolition authorization certificate is also required in the following cases, they do not require review by the demolition request review committee:

• A building subject to a demolition order 
• A building that must be demolished in order to construct a building authorized under Section 89 of the Montréal charter, a special urban planning program or project, except for a property including one or several dwelling units 
• A building whose demolition authorization is subject to the Cultural Heritage Act

Exceptions

A demolition authorization certificate is not required for the following actions:

• Destruction of roof slope elements
• Destruction of an auxiliary outbuilding
• Destruction of an exterior wall to add or enlarge a window or door
• Destruction of foundations or a basement floor slab
• Destruction of the roof structure to add a storey or a mezzanine
• Destruction of 25 per cent or less of the cumulative area of flooring on the ground floor and other storeys
• Destruction of the ground-floor structure during underpinning, excavation or basement construction
• Destruction of 25 per cent or less of the roof structure
• Destruction of the structure of a solid masonry exterior wall to permit its restoration
• Destruction of the structure of an exterior wall which is not a facade wall
• Destruction of the structure of a facade located in a secondary yard or without a main entrance as part of a building extension 
• Destruction of an eaves that is not part of the building’s original massing

If several of these actions are carried out within a five-year period, they must not result in the demolition of more than 25 per cent of the total area of the flooring structures of the ground floor and other storeys, or of the area of the roof structure.

How to apply?

The building owner or his or her representative must get an authorization certificate to have the building demolished. 

To avoid evicting tenants and protect the Plateau’s built heritage, demolition is an exceptional measure. Furthermore, a replacement project must be proposed, which will also be evaluated by the demolition application review committee.

Eligibility

When your project begins to take shape, but before it has been elaborated in detail, it is very important to make an appointment with one of our professionals. This initial meeting will give you the chance to have a preliminary evaluation of your project’s eligibility, to ask questions and to learn more about the steps for approval. To set a date for a meeting, write to infoagrandissement@montreal.ca.

Steps in the process

• Meeting at the permit office
• Submitting an application for authorization of demolition
• Project evaluation
• Presentation to the urban advisory committee for preliminary orientation
• Publication of a public notice and posting on the building 10 days before the demolition committee is scheduled to meet
• Meeting of the demolition committee
• Authorization or refusal of the demolition
• Appeals period of 30 days:
  • If there are no appeals, the demolition is either authorized or refused.
  • If there are appeals, the case is presented to the borough council for a decision.

Evaluation and processing times for a demolition authorization application can vary from three to six months once the application has been submitted.

Evaluation criteria

The demolition committee evaluates applications according to the following criteria:

• Any opposition received
• The state of the building for which the application is being submitted
• The building’s historical value
• The deterioration of the neighbours’ quality of life
• The costs of restoring the building
• The replacement project
• Harm caused to tenants
• The need for housing in the area
• Any other relevant criteria

Required documents

You must submit the following documents and information with your application:

• A letter authorizing a representative (if the applicant is not the building owner)
• Photographs of the building (indoor and outdoor) and neighbouring buildings
• Measures to rehome tenants, if applicable
• The date on which the building became vacant, if applicable
• Grounds for demolition
• Schedule for demolition and reconstruction work, if applicable
• Preliminary plans for the replacement project in digital format (PDF or JPG)
• A copy of the certificate of location for any building on the lot where the demolition is to take place which includes the technical designation
• A report on the general state of the building from a recognized expert
• A historical study from a recognized expert
• A construction, renovation and demolition waste management plan, if the demolition involves a building occupied for collective or institutional equipment use, or for industrial use.

• PDF file Application guide - By-law governing the demolition of buildings in Le Plateau-Mont-Royall (in French)
• PDF file Summary table - Demolition of buildings in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal (in French)

In person

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• By-law governing the demolition of buildings (in French)

All projects to demolish a residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use or public building must comply with regulations.

Steps

1. Make an appointment at the permit counter.
2. Submit an application with the required documents and pay the fees..
3. Use registered mail to send the notice of your application to all tenants of the property, if any.
4. Our teams will verify that your replacement project after the demolition complies with regulations (compliance review).
5. Our teams will produce the public notice and place the notice on the property.
6. The review committee will hold a meeting and make its decision.
7. Objections to the committee’s decision may be made within 30 days.
8. For any building that dates before 1940, the Ministère de la Culture et du Patrimoine has 90 days to object to the committee’s decision.
9. If the project is approved, our teams will issue the demolition permit.

Required documents

You must provide the following documents:

• A letter explaining the reasons for the request and providing details

Also, indicate the measures to rehouse residential tenants, if any, or specify when the property became vacant.

• Certificate of location
• Preliminary replacement project plans
• Perspective drawing of the replacement project in its setting
• Photos of the walls of the building and the surrounding area
• Number and floor area of the occupations in the building
• Demolition and reconstruction work schedule
• Complete report on the general condition of the building, by an expert (e.g. structural engineer), as detailed in Appendix A of the borough’s property demolition by-law (RCA07 22014)
• Heritage evaluation, as explained in Appendix B of the same by-law
• Proof of fee payment

If applicable

• Proxy letter, if you are not the property owner
• Documents for the cadastral operation, if needed

Fees

Analysis fee

Taxes are included in the following amounts. These fees are not refundable.

• Application for a residential outbuilding with a floor area between 15 sq. m. and 25 sq. m. located on a residential property: $163
• Application for a residential outbuilding with a floor area less than 15 sq. m. located on a residential property: free, no permit required
• Application submitted to the demolition review committee: $7,210
• Application exempted from this procedure: $2,060

Depending on the nature of the project, other costs may apply (e.g. Closure of driveway curb cuts, closure and disconnection of utilities, etc.)

Monetary guarantee

The review committee may require a guarantee that the replacement project will be completed. This guarantee may not exceed the value of the property to be demolished.

It can take any of the following forms:

• A Letter of Understanding
• Bonds payable to the bearer issued by the Québec government or the federal government, or by a Québec municipality
• A guarantee from a Québec licensed insurer
• A hypothecary security (mortgage bond) on the building to be demolished

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• By-law concerning the demolition of buildings (in French)
• By-law concerning special construction, modification or occupancy projects for buildings (in French)
• By-law concerning building construction and conversion
• By-law concerning fees (in French)
• Act respecting insurance
• Cultural Heritage Act
• Act respecting land use planning and development

How to apply

Contact your permit counter by email. The borough will inform you of the terms and conditions surrounding the issuance of the permit.

Period of validity for certificates

The certificate of authorization is valid as long as demolition:

• Has begin within three months following the certificate’s date of issuance

or

• Was not abandoned for more than six months

or

• Was completed within 12 months of the date of issuance

Otherwise, you must apply again. 

If you abandoned the demolition project for more than six months or it was not completed within 12 months, you may have to:

• Remove construction materials and other elements from the site
• Close the excavation site and clean and level the lot

Otherwise, the city may perform this work itself and bill the owner.

Fees

• Main building: $3,610.90
• Accessory building: $120.30

By e-mail

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• By-law concerning the demolition of buildings (in French)
• By-law concerning permits and certificates (in French)
• By-law concerning fees (in French)

To apply for a certificate of authorization to demolish a building, contact the permit counter. 

Your application may also require authorization from the demolition committee, which requires additional documentation. 

Fees 

Application review fees vary by project.

In person

How do you apply for a permit?

You must make an appointment with your borough permit counter and submit your application with all required documents.

Some applications must be submitted to a review committee, which may or may not authorize the demolition.

When a building must be demolished in order to carry out a construction or development project authorized by the borough council, the borough council also authorizes the demolition.

Required documents

For all demolition requests:

• Certificate of location
• Photographs of the building’s facades
• Letter of power of attorney (if the applicant is not the owner).
• Deconstruction and materials recycling management plan
• Expert’s report on the condition of the entire building

For an application submitted to the demolition review committee:

• Demolition application form duly completed and signed
• Number and size of occupancies in the building
• Preliminary cleared land reuse program consisting of scaled plans and documents showing the new exterior layout and proposed new construction to replace the building to be demolished
• Demolition and reconstruction schedule if required
• When the building includes one or more dwellings:
  • Copy of the notice sent by registered or certified mail to each tenant informing them of the demolition request
  • Document indicating the terms and conditions of relocation planned for each tenant.

Some additional documentation may be required depending on the building concerned, its location and the reason for demolition.

Fees

• Certificate of authorization for demolition: $508.14
• Application submitted to the demolition review committee: $6,700

Monetary guarantee

In order to obtain a certificate of authorization for demolition, you must provide a guarantee that the work will be completed. The demolition review committee or the borough council determines the amount of the guarantee.

Processing time

Please allow three to four months for your application to be processed.

The demolition committee usually meets once a month. After the committee decides, an appeal period of 30 days must elapse before the certificate of authorization is issued.

Any person has the right to object to a decision of the committee. If there is an objection, the borough council will study the file and make the final decision.

Period of validity of the certificate

After a certificate of authorization is issued, the demolition work must be completed within six months.

• PDF file Demolition application form - Montréal-Nord (in French) [PDF 440 KB]

In person

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• By-law governing the demolition of buildings (in French)
• By-law concerning fees (in French)
• By-law concerning permits and certificates (in French)

Information coming soon.

A permit is required to partially or totally demolish any primary or accessory building spanning an area of more than 15 square metres.

How to submit an application

You must submit an application at the permit counter and include all the required documents.

Required documents

Applications must include the following documents: 

• The completed application for a demolition permit issued by the borough.
• Receipt for payment of the applicable fees.
• Proof of ownership.
• Letter granting power of attorney (if the applicant is not the owner).
• Exterior dimensions and area spanned by the building cited for demolition.
• Photos of all the building facades.
• Proof that the owner or the owner’s authorized representative sent by registered or certified mail a copy of the demolition application to all the tenants in the building cited for demolition.
• Copy of the document entitled “Notice to tenants – demolition application”, signed by all the tenants in the building cited for demolition.
• Re-use program involving a site planning and architectural integration program, a special construction, modification or occupancy project, or any other site redevelopment project compliant with the applicable regulations.
• Submission of tenant relocation conditions when the building has one dwelling or more.
• Technical report on the general condition of the entire building, produced by a competent professional.

Fees

Application processing fee: 

• for the demolition of any building constructed before 1940: $1,520
• for the demolition of any building constructed after 1940, any building with damage affecting more than 50 per cent of its value, any dangerous or unsanitary construction, and any court-ordered demolition: $455
• for the partial demolition of a building constructed after 1940: $120
• for the demolition of any accessory or secondary building: $120

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• By-law governing the demolition of buildings
• By-law concerning the construction and conversion of buildings

Applications are submitted to the demolition committee, which determines whether the application is admissible based on established criteria.

In certain cases, such as a burnt-out building destroyed to more than 50% of its volume (not including foundations), the application may be exempted from this procedure. 

You must go to the permit counter and submit your application with all required documents. 

Permit fees

Review and evaluation fees: 

• Application submitted to demolition committee: $1,846 (including public notices) and posting of notice $1000 (taxes included). 
• Application that is exempt from submission to demolition committee: $580 (non-taxable). 
• Demolition of an outbuilding whose use is accessory to the dwelling (except for applications submitted to the demolition committee): $158 (non-taxable).

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• By-law governing the demolition of buildings (RCA07-30019) (in French)

How do you apply for a permit?

The owner of the building, or the owner’s representative, must obtain an authorization to demolish the building.

To avoid eviction of tenants and to protect existing buildings, some of which are of heritage interest, demolition is an exceptional measure. It is accompanied by a replacement project evaluated by the demolition committee, which may impose conditions such as a time frame for completion of the work, the conservation of certain elements or the reduction of impacts on the milieu.

What’s a demolition?

A demolition of a building is considered to have occurred when one of the following interventions is performed:

• When the intervention does not involve the destruction or dismantling of a facade, an intervention involving the destruction of more than 50% of the combined surface of the floors, roof and exterior walls of the building

OR

• When the intervention involves the destruction or dismantling of a facade, an intervention resulting in the destruction of more than 25% of the combined surface of the floors, roof and exterior walls of the building.

The calculation of the total area includes openings in the exterior wall surface, such as doors and windows. However, it does not include foundations, basement floors or side walls that are shared with another building, massive masonry walls that are subject to restoration work, and the structure of the main building roof where a mezzanine or additional storey is being added.

A floor or roof is considered destroyed when its structure is no longer load bearing. A facade is considered demolished when it has lost more than 50% of its structure.

Evaluation criteria

The demolition committee evaluates applications based on these criteria:

• Condition of the building
• Deterioration of architectural appearance
• Cost of restoration
• Projected use of cleared land
• Prejudice caused to residential tenants
• Any other criteria deemed relevant.

In the case of a shoebox house, additional criteria may apply to ensure its conservation and enhancement.

Buildings not subject to demolition committee review

• A burned or damaged building of which more than 75% of the combined area of floors, roof and exterior wall surfaces was demolished. This calculation includes openings in the exterior wall surface, but does not include foundations, basement floors or side walls abutting another building.

Please note: a building of heritage interest that has been more than 75% burned or damaged must still be reviewed by the demolition committee.

• A building located in whole or in part on a classified, cited or declared heritage site; a classified heritage building; or the protection area of a classified heritage building as defined in the Cultural Heritage Act or that relates to a building protected under that Act
• An outbuilding whose use is accessory to the dwelling
• A building used exclusively for service station purposes
• A building that must be demolished in order to carry out a project
• A building that must be demolished in order to carry out an authorized construction or development project
• A building subject to a demolition order

The demolition of a building not subject to the demolition committee still requires an application for a certificate of authorization.

Steps to Follow

1. Meeting and information gathering at the permit counter
2. Filing the application
3. Analysis of the proposal
4. Presentation to the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for preliminary guidelines
5. Publication of a public notice and posting, 15 days before the demolition committee meeting
6. Holding of the demolition committee meeting
7. 30-day period to appeal the committee’s decision:

• If no appeal, issuance of certificate of authorization
• If appealed, presentation to borough council for decision.

​​​Required documents

Submit your application with the following documents:

• Letter of power of attorney (if the applicant is not the owner)
• Photographs of the building’s facades and its surroundings
• Number and area of occupancies in the building, if any
• Certificate of location
• Description of tenant relocation measures, if any, or, date of vacancy of the building or its rental units
• Reasons for the application for a demolition permit
• Preliminary cleared land reuse program including plans for the replacement project
• Proposed schedule for the demolition and construction of the replacement project
• An expert report on the condition of the entire building, produced by a competent professional in the field
• A heritage study, produced by a competent professional in the field.

• PDF file Building demolition sheet - Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie (in French)

In person

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• By-law governing the demolition of buildings (in French)

How to apply

You must make an appointment with your permit counter and submit your application with all required documents.

Applications are evaluated by a committee that decides whether the application is receivable. Depending on the nature of the project, you may need an authorization certificate or a demolition permit.

Required documents

You must provide the following documents:

• Certificate of location (two copies)
• Photo of the site
• Photo of the building
• Letter describing the reasons and conditions for demolition, including the planned date on which municipal services will be disconnected
• Declaration that waives the city from any civil liability
• Agreement to return water meters and remove any underground reservoir within the property limits
• Proof of civil liability insurance
• Copy of the notice to tenants, if the building is composed of rental housing units
• Application for a cutting permit on public property

Period of validity for permits and certificates 

• Certificate of authorization: 60 days from the date of issuance
• Demolition permit: Six months beginning from the date on which work begins, which must be no later than three months following the date of issuance

Otherwise, the permit must be renewed before work resumes.

If the building is composed of rental units, work must begin 30 days after leases end or within 120 days after the permit is issued.

Fees

• Certificate of authorization: $19 per $1,000 worth of work, minimum $164.
• Demolition permit: $19 per $1,000 worth of work, minimum $164.

By phone

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• By-law concerning the demolition of primary buildings (in French)
• By-law concerning fees (in French)

How to apply

Bring all the required documents to your permit counter.

• If you will need to disconnect the water and sewer services, you will also need a cut-off permit. Contact your permit counter to learn about the process.
• In some cases a reconstruction project must be approved before the demolition can be authorized.
• Some applications must be submitted to a review committee, which may or may not authorize the demolition.

Validity period of the certificate

• Authorization certificate: three months from the date of issue

Fees

• Authorization certificate:
  • For the demolition of a single-family dwelling or a multiplex (two to five units): $1,050
  • Other types of buildings: $2,100

Processing time of a request submitted to the review committee

Please allow three to four months for your application to be processed.

The demolition request review committee usually meets once a month. After the committee decides, an appeal period of 30 days must elapse before the certificate of authorization is issued.

Any person has the right to object to a decision of the committee. If there is an objection, the borough council will study the file and make the final decision.

By e-mail

What is the definition of a demolition?

A project is considered to be a demolition if:

• While the facade is preserved, more than 50 per cent of the total surface of the floors, roof and exterior walls of the building is removed

or

• The facade is demolished, and more than 25 per cent of the total surface of the floors, roof and exterior walls of the building is removed

The calculation does not include the foundations, basement floors and side walls (built against another building).

How do you apply for a permit?

You must make an appointment with your borough permit counter and submit your application with all required documents.

Required documents 

You must include the following documents and information with your application:

• Name and address of property owner or their representative, if applicable
• Address of the subject building
• Photos of the building facades and the surrounding area
• The number of occupancies in the building and the area they cover
• The measures planned to relocate tenants or the date on which the dwelling became vacant, if applicable
• Reasons for the request
• The preliminary cleared land reuse program (new construction plans), including the plans required to verify its compliance with regulations. When the project includes an enlargement or the construction of a new building, the application must include the following documents:
  • Site plan showing the project and nearby buildings
  • Elevations and the integration with regard to the surrounding built environment
  • Details of the architectural program, such as building floor area, building footprint, number of dwelling units or establishments, as well as their floor area, the percentage of vegetated space compared to the lot area, site coverage rate and density
  • Any other document that may be necessary to evaluate the preliminary reuse program for the lot area made vacant
• The demolition and reconstruction schedules, if applicable
• The following documents if judged to be necessary by the director:
  • Assessment report of the condition of the entire property, produced by a specialist expert, with regard to the structure and, at a minimum, including the information indicated in Appendix A
  • Heritage study of the structure, produced by a specialist expert, which, at a minimum includes the information and the evaluation grid indicated in Appendix B.
• Proof of payment of fees and charges required by this by-law and the applicable borough by-law on costs
• The certificate of location.
• Certificates of authorization from public utilities e.g. Bell, Hydro-Québec, Énergir) affected by the application, as appropriate
• Management, reuse and disposal plan for demolition debris and waste

Evaluation criteria

The heritage value of the property subject to the application

• Condition of the building cited in the application
• The heritage value of the property subject to the application
• Prejudice caused to tenants and proposed measures to ensure their relocation, if any
• Housing needs in the area and the possibility of relocating tenants
• Cost of the restoration
• Preliminary reuse program for the land made vacant
• In the case of an application related to a heritage property, the history of the building, its contribution to local history, degree of authenticity and integrity, representativeness of a particular architectural movement and contribution to a grouping to be preserved

Steps during the application process

• Receipt and analysis of the application by the Division des études techniques
• Public notice and sign posting
• Presentation to the demolition committee
• Decision of the demolition committee
• Period for the possibility of review and decision of the borough council, if applicable

If your application is for a heritage property, contact the borough.

In person

An application for authorization of a demolition involves any type of work in which more than 40 per cent of the above-ground volume of a building is to be demolished.

The procedure for reviewing the application aims to protect buildings that may have historical interest and to regulate how the cleared land is used. The process gives the review committee the authority to set out any and all necessary conditions.

Exceptions

Examples of situations in which the demolition of a building benefits from a simplified process:

• A non-conforming building constructed on the same lot as a primary building and located on it.
• A building with no foundation.
• A building designed exclusively for use as a service station, a road vehicle maintenance and repair shop, or a car wash.
• A building that burned down or that has been destroyed over 60 per cent of its volume, not including its foundation.
• An outbuilding whose primary use is not for housing, unless it is part of a building of historical interest
• A building subject to a demolition order under the By-law concerning the construction and conversion of buildings.

To find out more, please go in person to your permit counter.

How to submit an application

Prior to submitting your application, you must meet with a built environment agent or an architect from the borough. The agent or architect will determine whether exemptions to the regulations are required to complete your project to reuse cleared land, and make sure that your application is complete.

The application must include the completed demolition authorization form, all the required supporting documents, and the payment of the applicable fee.

Notice of admissibility

Would you like to get a preliminary opinion from borough professionals in charge of urban development and mobility concerning the admissibility of your demolition project before a formal application is submitted? You can apply for a notice of admissibility. 

To submit an application, please complete the form and make sure to include the required documents and pay the applicable fee.

Steps to follow

1. Process related to the notice of admissibility concerning a demolition (optional)
2. Meeting and information-gathering at the permit counter
3. Submission of the application
4. Review of the project
5. Presentation to the urban advisory committee (CCU) for preliminary orientation purposes
6. Publication of a public notice and posting of signage 15 days before the demolition committee meeting
7. Meeting held by the demolition committee
8. 30-day period to appeal the committee’s decision:

• Barring an appeal, issuance of the permit
• If there is an appeal, presentation to borough council for a decision

Evaluation criteria

Applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Condition of the building cited in the application
• Deterioration of the neighbourhood’s architectural appearance, aesthetic character, or quality of life
• Cost of the restoration
• Projected use of the cleared land
• The harm caused to tenants (housing needs in the surrounding area and possible relocation) when the building includes one dwelling or more

Processing times

The timeframe for reviewing and processing authorization for a demolition may vary from four to nine months from the time the application is submitted, not including the notice of admissibility, which can take from one to two months before being issued.

Replacement project

The general aspects of a replacement project are evaluated as part of the demolition application. When you submit a subsequent application for a construction permit, the project’s architectural integration is evaluated as part of the project review procedure called for under the borough’s planning by-law, based on criteria specific to each area.

Heritage interest statement

A statement of heritage interest may be required to evaluate the demolition. Overseen by the city as part of the review of your project, the statement entails a process that calls for the participation of stakeholders in the project. It consists of an evaluation of the building’s value based on its historical, social, archeological, symbolic, landscaping, artistic and architectural aspects.

Fees

• Review of an application for preliminary assessment (notice of admissibility): $193 *
• Review of an application for authorization of demolition: $2,390
• Public notice: $563
• Display:
  • Façade that is 15 metres wide or less: $845
  • Façade that is wider than 15 metres: $1,126

*In the event of a favourable notice and if an application for a certificate of authorization for demolition is submitted within 12 months of the issuance of a notice of admissibility, the review fees for the notice of admissibility will be deducted from the total amount.

• PDF file Notice of admissibility application concerning the demolition of a building in Ville-Marie (in French) [PDF 70 KB]
• PDF file Application for a demolition permit in Ville-Marie (in French) [PDF 75 KB]
• PDF file Evaluation criteria for projects in Ville-Marie (in French) [PDF 2 MB]

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• Urban planning by-law (in French)
• By-law amending the By-law concerning the construction and conversion of buildings

How do you apply for a permit?

You must make an appointment with your borough permit counter and submit your application with all required documents. It must have been the subject of a preliminary study.

The majority of applications are reviewed by a committee that decides whether they are eligible. Depending on the nature of the project, your application may be exempt from this process and the permit is then issued at a lower cost. For example, in the case of a building burned over more than 75% of its volume or an outbuilding whose use is accessory to the dwelling.

Required documents

For all demolition requests:

• Demolition application form (obtained at the permit counter)
• Letter of power of attorney (if the applicant is not the owner)
• Authenticated copy of any property title or option to purchase the property covered by the application
• Certificate of location and its technical description
• Any other document appropriate for analyzing the application.

For an application submitted to the demolition review committee:

• Expert report on the condition of the entire building (produced by a certified expert)
• Study of the heritage value of the building (produced by a certified expert)
• Preliminary cleared land reuse program including plans and information required to verify compliance with regulations, in particular:
  • Program details
  • Site plans of existing and projected constructions
  • Dimensioned elevations of proposed or modified structures
  • Design plan for exterior spaces (landscaping, parking, traffic and loading areas)
  • Perspectives or photographic montages illustrating the urban integration of the proposal
  • A sunlight study.

Processing time

Please allow three to four months for your application to be processed.

The demolition committee usually meets once a month. After the committee decides, an appeal period of 30 days must elapse before the certificate of authorization is issued. 

Any person has the right to object to a decision of the committee. If there is an objection, the borough council will study the file and make the final decision.

Evaluation criteria

• Condition of the subject building
• Architectural and heritage value of the building
• Deterioration of the architectural appearance, aesthetic character and quality of life of the neighbourhood
• Cost necessary to restore the building
• Quality of the replacement project
• Prejudice caused to tenants and proposed measures to ensure their relocation, if any
• Objections received
• Any other criteria deemed relevant.

Fees

• Certificate of authorization for demolition: $385
• Application submitted to the demolition review committee: $5,480

Monetary guarantee

In order to obtain a certificate of authorization for demolition, you will be required to submit a letter of monetary guarantee. It is equal to a certain percentage of the building’s value on the property assessment roll.

• PDF file Info-urbanisme fact sheet - demolition committee - VSP (in French) [PDF 1 MB]

By phone

Overview of applicable by-laws.

• Building Demolition by-law (in French)
• By-law concerning the construction and conversion of buildings