Install a temporary car shelter

Last updated October 13, 2023

Want to install a temporary car shelter? You do not need a permit, but must observe certain regulations when you install this type of winter shelter. Find out what you need to do, depending on  the borough in which you live.

Temporary car shelters must be installed in a way that guarantees safety. For instance, there must be windows on each side to provide good visibility.

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Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:

  • Maximum height of 3 m.
  • Maximum width of 6.5 m. 
  • Fixed to the ground with anchors and counterweights.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 0.75 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant.
  • 5 m from the intersection if your house is located on a street corner.

Only one temporary car shelter per property is permitted.

Materials permitted

  • Synthetic fabric, white and translucent.
  • Removable metal structure.

Windows

If it is installed less than 3 m from the sidewalk or the road:

  • The shelter must have a window measuring at least 0.5 m2  on each side.
  • The windows must be located at least 2 m from the shelter’s access opening.

Historical areas
Installing a temporary car shelter is prohibited in the following areas:
- Old village of Sault-au-Récollet
- Properties adjacent to Boulevard Gouin, between Avenue Saint-Charles and Rue J.-J.-Gagnier
- Rue de l’Île-de-la-Visitation, Rue du Pont and Rue du Pressoir

Communication channels

By phone

Permit counter – Ahuntsic-Cartierville

514-872-3020

Legislation

Dates permitted

From November 1 to April 15

However, the metal structure can be installed without the canvas from October 15.

Location

  • 1 m from the sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from the curb if there is no sidewalk.
  • 30 cm from the sidewalk or road when the shelter has two windows. The windows must be transparent, with a minimum area of 40 cm2 on each side and must be located close to the sidewalk or curb (less than 2.5 m). 

Materials permitted

  • Translucent or white flexible fabric or material
  • Industrially manufactured metal tube structure

Communication channels

By phone

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.

Legislation

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

 

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:  

  • Maximum height of 3 m.
  • Maximum width of 6.5 m.
  • Fixed to the ground with anchors and counterweights.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 0.75 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant.
  • 5 m from the intersection if your house is located on a street corner.

Only one temporary car shelter per property is permitted. 

Materials permitted

  • Synthetic fabric, white and translucent.
  • Removable metal structure.

Windows

If it is installed less than 3 m from the sidewalk or the road:

  • The shelter must have a window measuring at least 0.5 m2  on each side.
  • The windows must be located at least 2 m from the shelter’s access opening.

Historical areas
Installing a temporary car shelter is prohibited in the following areas. Please contact the borough to check if this restriction applies to your address.

Communication channels

By phone

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.

Legislation

Temporary car shelters are permitted only within the limits of the old city of Saint-Pierre. Please contact the permit counter to check if this restriction applies to your address.

Dates permitted

From November 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.
 

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 60 cm from the sidewalk.
  • 10 m from the corner.

Materials permitted

  • Waterproof or synthetic fabric, translucent. Only the colours white, beige and grey are permitted.
  • Removable metal structure.

Communication channels

By phone

Permit counter – Lachine

514-639-2140

Legislation

All types of temporary shelter are prohibited.

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 0.75 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant.
  • 5 m from the intersection if your house is located on a street corner.

Only one temporary car shelter per property is permitted.

Materials permitted

  • Translucent fabric.
  • Removable metal structure.

Historical areas
Installing a temporary car shelter is prohibited in the following areas. Please contact the borough to check if this restriction applies to your address.

Communication channels

By phone

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.

Legislation

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled. 

Your shelter must meet the following criteria

You may only install one temporary carport per lot. It must be used to shelter one or more vehicles within a parking area and must not be used for storage purposes.

It must:

  • Have a maximum height of 3 m 
  • Have a maximum width of 6.5 m 
  • Be secured to the ground by anchors or counterweights 
  • Be maintained in good condition
  • Not include any heating system.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 0.75 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant.
  • 5 m from the intersection if your house is located on a street corner.

Materials permitted

Removable metal structure with synthetic fabric, white and translucent.

Windows

If it is installed less than 3 m from the sidewalk or the road:

  • The shelter must have a window measuring at least 0.5 m2 on each side.
  • The windows must be located at least 2 m from the shelter’s access opening.

Historical areas
The installation of a temporary carport is prohibited in any area to which the Cultural Heritage Act applies.

To check if this applies to your address, consult the interactive map of the Sud-Ouest (“TAS - Témoin architectural significatif” section located under the “Zonage et PIIA” filter).

Learn more

815 Rue Bel-Air
First floor
Montréal, QC H4C 2K4

Legislation

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

 

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:

  • Maximum height of 3 m.
  • Maximum width of 6.5 m.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 1 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 0.75 m from the limits at the back or on the side of the property.
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant.

Only one temporary car shelter per property is permitted.

Materials permitted

  • Synthetic fabric, white and translucent.

  • Removable metal structure.

Historical areas
Installing a temporary car shelter is prohibited in the following areas. Please contact the borough to check if this restriction applies to your address.

Communication channels

By phone

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.

Legislation

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15 

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.
Contact your permit counter and get informed before you purchase your shelter. 

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:

  • Maximum height of 3 m.
  • Maximum width of 6.5 m. 
  • Fixed to the ground with anchors and counterweights.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 0.75 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant.
  • 5 m from the intersection if your house is located on a street corner.

Only one temporary car shelter per property is permitted.

Materials permitted

  • Synthetic fabric, white and translucent.
  • Removable metal structure.

Windows

If it is installed less than 3 m from the sidewalk or the road:

  • The shelter must have a window measuring at least 0.5 m2  on each side.
  • The windows must be located at least 2 m from the shelter’s access opening.

Communication channels

By phone

Permit counter – Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

514-872-6099

Legislation

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

 

Please contact the permit counter to find out which areas can be used for storage.

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:

  • Maximum height of 3.1 m.
  • Prefabricated.
  • Be anchored in the ground or kept in place using bags filled with water or sand.
  • Be clean and free of any obstruction.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, or in the driveway leading to it, at least:

  • 0.3 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 12 m from the intersection if your house is on a street corner.

You can install a double shelter or two single shelters and a pedestrian shelter on your property.

Materials permitted

  • Synthetic fabric, waterproof, white and translucent.
  • Removable metal structure.

Windows 

If it is installed less than 4.5 m from the sidewalk or the road:

  • The shelter must have a window measuring at least 1 m in width and 0.7 m in height on each side.
  • The windows must be located 1 m from the ground.

Use

  • The shelter must only be used to house a car.

Communication channels

By phone

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.

Legislation

All types of temporary shelter are prohibited.

Dates permitted

From November 1 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:

  • Maximum height of 3 m.

The shelter must be installed in the residential parking space or in the driveway leading to it, at least:

  • 1 m from the sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from the road.

Only one temporary car shelter per property is permitted.

Materials permitted

  • Waterproof and fire-resistant synthetic fabric. The only colours permitted are white, grey, yellow, beige and light blue.
  • Removable metal structure.

Communication channels

By phone

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.

Legislation

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15.

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

It is prohibited to store the temporary shelter in front of your home.

Criteria

Dimensions

  • Maximum height of 4 m
  • Maximum width of 6.5 m

Location

The car shelter must be installed in the home’s parking space or a driveway that leads to its parking space.

It must be installed at least:

  • .75 m from the sidewalk, or the road if there is no sidewalk
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant
  • 7 m from the intersection, if your home is at the corner of two streets

Number of shelters

You can install a maximum of two temporary car shelters on your property.

Allowable materials

The car shelter must:

  • Be made of a metallic frame that can be disassembled
  • Be covered with either translucent white synthetic fabric or plexiglass
  • Have a transparent strip on each side, at least 2 m from its opening, with an area of at least .5 m2 if it is located at least 3 m from a sidewalk or a curbside (if there is no sidewalk)

Important

Car shelters should not:

  • Be used for storage
  • Have heating units inside

Historical areas
Installing a temporary car shelter is prohibited in the following areas. Please contact the borough to check if this restriction applies to your address.

Learn more

By phone

Permit counter – Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles

514-868-4343

Legislation

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

 

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:

  • Maximum height of 3 m.
  • Maximum width of 6.5 m.
  • Fixed to the ground with anchors and counterweights.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 0.75 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant.
  • 5 m from the intersection if your house is located on a street corner.

Only one temporary car shelter per property is permitted.

Materials permitted

  • Synthetic fabric, white and translucent.
  • Removable metal structure.

Windows

If it is installed less than 3 m from the sidewalk or the road:

  • The shelter must have a window measuring at least 0.5 m2  on each side.
  • The windows must be located at least 2 m from the shelter’s access opening.

Historical areas
Installing a temporary car shelter is prohibited in the following areas. Please contact the borough to check if this restriction applies to your address.

Communication channels

By phone

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.

Legislation

All types of temporary shelter are prohibited.

Period of allowed use

From the Saturday before Thanksgiving to April 15 of the following year.

Outside this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

Standards to be met 

  • Minimum distance from the sidewalk: 30 cm
  • Maximum height: 3.5 m
  • One shelter only per parking space

Prohibition

Temporary shelters are not permitted on U-shaped driveways.

Commercial zone and buildings with six or more dwellings

Under certain conditions, Saint-Léonard authorizes temporary shelters covering an access driveway to an underground parking lot or car wash.

Materials permitted

  • Flexible and translucent fabric.
  • Tubular metal structure, industrially manufactured and removable.

Communication channels

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.

8400 Boulevard Lacordaire
Montréal, QC H1R 3B1

Legislation

Dates permitted

From November 1 to May 1

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.
Temporary car shelters are prohibited in the L’Île-des-Sœurs area.

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:

  • Maximum area of 40 m2.
  • The shelter must be installed at the back of your home.

Materials permitted

  • One temporary car shelter per parking space is authorized per lot. 
  • It must be composed of a metal structure and a white or translucent canvas.

Communication channels

By phone

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.

Legislation

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:

  • Maximum height of 3 m.
  • Maximum width of 6.5 m.
  • Fixed to the ground with anchors and counterweights.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 0.75 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant.
  • 5 m from the intersection if your house is located on a street corner.

Only one temporary car shelter per property is permitted.

Materials permitted

  • Translucent white cover made of plastic or fibreglass.
  • Removable metal structure.

Windows

If it is installed less than 3 m from the sidewalk or the road:

  • The shelter must have a window measuring at least 0.5 m2  on each side.
  • The windows must be located at least 2 m from the shelter’s access opening.

Historical areas
Installing a temporary car shelter is prohibited in the Old Montréal historical site and the Mount Royal Heritage Site. Please contact the borough to find out if this restriction applies to your address.

Communication channels

By phone

Permit counter – Ville-Marie

514-872-0311

Legislation

Dates permitted

From October 15 to April 15

Outside of this period, the metal structure must be completely dismantled.

 

Your shelter must meet the following criteria:

  • Maximum height of 3 m.
  • Maximum width of 6.5 m. 
  • Fixed to the ground with anchors and counterweights.

The shelter must be installed in the parking space of your home, at least:

  • 0.75 m from the sidewalk or the road if there is no sidewalk.
  • 1.5 m from a fire hydrant.
  • 5 m from the intersection if your house is located on a street corner.

Only one temporary car shelter per property is permitted.

Materials permitted

  •  Synthetic fabric, white and translucent.
  • Removable metal structure.

Windows

If it is installed less than 3 m from the sidewalk or the road:

  • The shelter must have a window measuring at least 0.5 m2  on each side.
  • The windows must be located at least 2 m from the shelter’s access opening.

Historical areas
Installing a temporary car shelter is prohibited in the following areas. Please contact the borough to check if this restriction applies to your address.

Communication channels

By phone

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.

Legislation