Install a spa with a capacity 2,000 litres or less
Want to install or replace a spa on your residential property? You must comply with the regulations in force, and in certain cases, you are required to obtain a permit. The following standards must be met in order to ensure that your installation is compliant.
Each borough’s rules for spas apply to both hardshell and inflatable hot tubs. However, these rules may vary from one borough to another.
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You do not need a permit to install a spa if:
- Its capacity is no more than 2,000 litres
- Its depth is less than 60 cm
However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
A spa cannot be installed in a front yard.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
After installation of the spa, at least 20 per cent of the lot must be covered by vegetation planted in open-ground.
Other permits
If your project includes other outdoor elements, such as a terrace, structure or another landscaping modification, please contact the information counter to see if a permit is required.
If installation of the spa requires the removal of a tree, a tree-felling permit must be approved by the horticulture department before you start removing it.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You must install a spa in the backyard.
However, spas are permitted in a front or side yard of a home where the rear yard is less than 6 m long.
The spa must be installed at least 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
Safety fence
Above-ground spas with a capacity of less than 2000 litres do not need to be surrounded by a fence.
Other permits
You need another permit to:
- Build, modify or replace a platform to access the spa, if the platform is more than 60 cm high.
- Cut down a tree in the planned location of the spa.
Legislation
A certificate of authorization is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You can install a spa or hot tub in a backyard or a side yard.
Other permits and authorizations
If your project calls for other equipment or structure, please be sure to obtain the required permits or certiticates of authorization.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You can install a spa or hot tub in a backyard or a side yard.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
Safety fence
It is not necessary to install a fence around the spa if it is equipped with a rigid safety cover that is locked when the spa is not in use.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less.
Location
Your spa must be installed less than 1.2 m (4 ft) from your property limits and less than 1.2 m (4 ft) from the main building. The spa cannot be installed in a servitude (in French). It is prohibited to install a spa in a front yard.
Safety fence
The spa must be equipped with a safety cover that is kept locked when the spa is not in use.
The yard in which the spa is installed must be surrounded by a fence measuring between 1.2 m and 1.83 m in height.
Other permits
This permit also authorizes you to:
- install a fence
- build a platform to access the spa
If you wish to change or replace an existing platform, or if you must fell a tree, you are required to obtain the necessary permits.
Continue to: Get a permit to install a spa
Legislation
A permit is not required if your spa has a capacity of less than 2,000 litres. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You can install a spa or hot tub in a backyard or a side yard. If your property is bordered by two streets or one street and one alley, please contact your borough to find out where to install your spa.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
Safety fence
A spa is authorized only in a fenced yard.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
It is prohibited to fell a tree to install a spa.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
Your spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits and from a fence. It is prohibited to install a spa in a front yard.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is not required if your spa has a capacity of less than 2,000 litres. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You must install a spa or hot tub in a backyard or a side yard.
If your property is bordered by two streets or one street and one alley, please contact your borough to find out where to install your spa.
The spa must be installed at least 1.5 m (5 ft) from your property limits.
f your property is located beside a body of water, in a flood-prone area, in a special intervention zone or in a zone subject to the interim control by-law, please contact the point of service in your borough.
Safety fence
A spa is authorized in a non-fenced yard.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is not required if your spa has a capacity of less than 2,000 litres. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You can install a spa or hot tub in a backyard or a side yard. Please contact us if your property is bordered by two streets.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You can install a spa or hot tub in a backyard or a side yard.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
Safety fence
A spa is authorized only in a fenced yard.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You must install a spa or hot tub in a backyard.
Please contact us if you wish to install it in a side yard or if your property is bordered by two streets.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You must install a spa or hot tub in your backyard.
Please contact us if you wish to install it in a side yard or if your property is bordered by two streets.
The spa must be installed at least 1.5 m (5 ft) from your property limits.
If your property is located beside a body of water, in a flood-prone area, in a special intervention zone or in a zone subject to the interim control by-law, please contact the point of service in your borough.
Safety fence
A spa is authorized in a non-fenced yard.
Hard cover
The spa must have a hard cover that meets the manufacturer’s safety standards and a locking system for when the cover is not being used or when the hot tub is left unattended.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You must install a spa or hot tub in a backyard. If your property is bordered by two streets or one street and one alley, please contact your borough to find out where to install your spa.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
Safety fence
A spa with side panels higher than 60 cm (1,93 pi) in height is authorized only in a fenced yard.
The fence must:
Be 1 metre (3.28 feet) or more from the spa
Be at least 1.2 metres (4 feet) high
Not allow a spherical object with a diameter greater than 10 centimetres (4 inches) to pass through
Be installed so that the space between the bottom of the fence and the ground is less than 5 centimetres (2 inches)
Have a lockable door or entrance
Hard cover
The spa must have a hard cover that meets the manufacturer’s safety standards and a locking system for when the cover is not being used or when the hot tub is left unattended.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You can install a spa or hot tub in a backyard or a side yard. If your property is bordered by two streets or one street and one alley, please contact your borough to find out where to install your spa.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
Safety fence
It is not necessary to install a fence around your yard if the spa is equipped with a safety cover that locks when the spa is not in use.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less.
Location
You must install a spa or hot tub in a backyard. Please contact us if you wish to install one in a side yard or if your property is bordered by two streets.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits. It must not be placed in front of a door or a window on the main building or under an electrical wire.
Safety fence
It is not necessary to install a fence around the spa if it is equipped with a rigid safety cover that is locked when the spa is not in use.
Other permits
If you wish to build or replace an existing platform, or if you wish to fell a tree, you must obtain the required permits.
Continue to: Get a permit to install a spa
Legislation
A permit is not required if your spa has a capacity of less than 2,000 litres.
Location
You can install a spa or a hot tub in your backyard or side yard, on the condition that it does not block a window.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
If the spa is installed in a backyard or a side yard facing a street, it must be at least 3 m (9 ft 10 in) from your property limits.
Safety fence
It is not necessary to install a fence around the spa if it is equipped with a rigid safety cover that is locked when the spa is not in use.
Get a permit
A permit is required to install a spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. This permit also authorizes you to build or change a platform to access the spa.
Continue to: Get a permit to install a spa
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You must install a spa or hot tub in a backyard at least one metre from the property line. If your property is bordered by two streets or one street and one alley, please contact your borough to find out where to install your spa.
A minimum of 20 per cent of the backyard must be covered with grass, trees or plants (annuals and/or perennials).
Safety fence
It is not necessary to install a fence around the spa if it is equipped with a rigid safety cover that is locked when the spa is not in use.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less or a rooftop spa. However, you are required to comply with the standards in force.
Location
You can install a spa or hot tub in a backyard or a side yard.
If your property is bordered by two streets or one street and one alley, please contact your borough to find out where to install your spa.
Other permits
If your project calls for other equipment or structure to be added, please ensure that you have the required permits.
Legislation
A permit is not required to install an above-ground spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or less. However, you are required to meet the standards in force.
Location
You can install a spa or hot tub in a backyard or a side yard. Please contact us if you wish to install one in a side yard or if your property is bordered by two streets.
The spa must be installed at least 1 m (3 ft 3 in) from your property limits.
Safety fence
A spa with side panels that are lower than 1.2 m (4 ft) in height must be surrounded by a fence.
Equipment around the spa
Heat pumps and heating units must be located at least 1 m from any property limits.
Legislation
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