Français
Categories
    • Heritage and History
    • Libraries
    • Parks and Nature
    • Shows and Exhibitions
    • Sports and Recreation
    • City Suppliers
    • Funding and Assistance
    • Innovation and Research
    • Permits and Authorizations
    • Awards and Distinctions
    • Diversity
    • Neighbourhood Life
    • Prevention and Social Action
    • Universal access
    • Public Consultations
    • Resident Initiatives
    • Air
    • Collections and recycling
    • Ecological Transition
    • Soil
    • Trees and Gardens
    • Water
    • Budget and Financial Profile
    • Municipal Taxes
    • Property Assessment
    • Disaster Risks
    • Police and Firefighters
    • Public Health
    • Buying and Selling a Home
    • Homes
    • Outdoor Development and Maintenance
    • Renovation and Construction
    • Cleanliness
    • Construction and Street Closings
    • Snow Removal
    • Travel and Transportation
    • Administration
    • Boroughs
    • City Hall and Elected Officials
    • Jobs
    • Organizations and councils
    • Publications and Data
    • Pets
    • Wildlife and Insects
    • Claims and Complaints
    • Tickets and Appeals
    • Land-Use Management
    • Urban Planning
Services
  • Points of Service
  • Parks
  • Libraries
  • Ecocentres
  • Municipal Arts Centres
  • Sports Facilities
Calendars
  • Arts and Culture
  • Exhibitions
  • Sports and Recreation
  • Public Participations
  • Neighbourhood Life
Contact Us
  • 311
  • The Mayor
  • Elected Officials
  • Media Relations
  • Services
  • Requests
  • Tasks
  • Activity log
  • Personal information
  • Account settings
  • Communication preferences
  • Services
  • Applications and Requests
  • Tasks
  • Activity log
  • Members
  • Information
Add an organization
  1. Home
  2. How-to
  3. Apply for a permit

Renew a permit to build a commercial terrace on public property

Last updated March 18, 2022
RelatedCommercial terrace on public property

Do you want to renew your permit to build a commercial terrace on the sidewalk, road or any other part of public property? Learn what you need to do to renew your permit.

In Montréal, you must hold a valid permit in order to operate a commercial terrace on public property.

My borough

Shows borough content for
Select a borough to find out more about the procedure.

No borough selected.

A permit to build a commercial terrace remains valid year after year. It is renewed automatically, except if :

  • the permit is revoked by the city, in which case a new permit application must be submitted
  • you have submitted a request to stop using the terrace and the terrace has been dismantled
  • the location of the terrace or its area changes
  • there is a change of operator in the establishment, in which case you must go directly to the permit counter to request a change of operator for a nominal fee

Annual rent

You will continue to pay the rent (or seasonal public property occupancy fee) annually, calculated based on the area occupied by the terrace and the assessment roll in force. 

You must pay the rent in a single instalment. The rent is calculated from May 1 to October 31. You will receive an invoice at the beginning of the season.

You may be asked to provide proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, valid for the occupancy period.

Information coming soon

You must renew your permit annually, before the beginning of the season. In order to do so, you must:

  • Apply for a renewal by e-mail.

  • Complete the renewal form and provide the necessary documentation.

  • Pay the permit fee and the rent.

Requirements

You are required to have met all the regulatory requirements during the previous year.

The proposed terrace must be identical to the terrace described in the plans submitted the previous year. 

If there are changes, you must submit a new application, regardless of what those changes are.

Annual rent

You will continue to pay a rent (or annual seasonal public property occupancy fee).

The payment must be made in a single instalment. It is calculated from May 1 to October 31. You will receive an invoice in the mail at the beginning of the season.

Fee

Permit: $99
Rent: 15 per cent of the value of the area occupied by the terrace

The invoice will include the sum total of these two amounts.

Required documents

  • proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, valid for the entire operating period of the terrace. 
  • letter of commitment certifying that there will be no changes in relation to the previous year (name of the establishment, name of owner or operator, building plans)
  • authorization from the building owner 

If applicable:

  • power of attorney signed by the operator

Communication channels

By mail

Direction des travaux publics

Division des études techniques
2140 Madison Ave, 3rd floor
Montréal, QC H4B 2T4
By e-mail
[email protected]

The permit cannot be renewed. You must submit a new application for a permit each year.

The permit to build a commercial terrace remains valid year after year, except if:

  • the permit is revoked by the city, in which case a new permit application  must be submitted
  • you have submitted a request to stop using the terrace and the terrace has been dismantled
  • you intend to change the terrace in relation to the plan authorized at the time of issuance of the permit, or you are a new operator, in which case you must submit a new application

Annual rent

You will continue to pay a rent (or annual seasonal public property occupancy fee), calculated based on the area occupied by the terrace and the assessment roll in force, as well as the number of days of occupancy.

You must pay the rent at the permit counter in a single instalment, before the terrace is built.

Required documents

  • Upon request, proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, valid for the entire operating period of the terrace. 
  • letter of commitment certifying that there will be no changes in relation to the previous year (name of the establishment, name of owner or operator, building plans)
  • authorization from the building owner

If applicable:

  • power of attorney signed by the operator

Communication channels

Online
Renew a permit (in French)
In person

Point of service

Accès Montréal Office – LaSalle
55 Avenue Dupras
Montréal, QC H8R 4A8

You must renew your permit annually.

In order to do so, you must complete the form online and submit it with the required documents.

Due to the high number of applications, you are advised to submit your application at least one month before the start of the period of operation of the terrace.

The renewal is free of charge.

If there is a change of operator or a change in the initial plans for the terrace, you must submit a new application.

Operating period

From April 15 to October 15

Fee
For 2022, there are no processing fees for café-terrace permit applications and occupancy fees are $50 no matter the size of the terrace. Occupancy fees will be billed at the end of the season.

Document

  • Guide d'aménagement d'un café-terrasse sur le domaine public 2022 - Le Plateau-Mont-Royal (in French) [PDF 4 MB]

Required documents

  • proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, that states that the terrace is covered for its entire period of operation and designating the city as a co-insured party. Your policy will be required in order for us to process your file and before the permit is issued. You do not need to send us the entire insurance contract, just the pages with the information we need.
  • letter of commitment certifying that there will be no changes in relation to the previous year (name of the establishment, name of owner or operator, building plans)

If applicable:

  • power of attorney signed by the operator

Communication channels

Online
Renew a permit (in French)

You must apply online.

You must renew your permit annually. In order to do so, you must:

  • complete the form online with the required documents.
  • send a cheque by mail to pay the fees.

Fees

To help merchants in 2022, the borough is easing the applicable measures.
Only the renewal fee is to be paid upon approval of the application.
You must provide proof of insurance.

The occupancy fees are fixed for entire seasonal period. In the event of an occupancy during only part of this period, the fee amounts are prorated to the number of days of occupancy during the 200-day seasonal period. The fees are non-taxable and non-refundable.

Type of fee

Amount

Renewal

$50

Sidewalk occupancy permit

$0 per m²

Road occupancy permit

$0 per m²

Required documents

  • proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, valid for the entire operating period of the terrace. 
  • letter of commitment certifying that there will be no changes in relation to the previous year (name of the establishment, name of owner or operator, building plans)
  • authorization from the building owner 

If applicable:

  • power of attorney signed by the operator

Communication channels

Online
Renew a permit (in French)

Please submit your application online, then send a cheque.

In person

Point of service

Permit counter – Le Sud-Ouest
815 Rue Bel-Air
First floor
Montréal, QC H4C 2K4

Legislation

  • By-law concerning seasonal public property occupancy for purposes of operating a sidewalk café (in French)

This borough does not authorize commercial terraces on public property.

You must renew your permit annually and confirm that no changes have been made.

The permit renewal is free of charge.

If changes in area or materials are made, you must submit a new application.

If only the name of operator changes, you must submit an application to change the identity of the permit holder.

If you do not want to renew your permit and the terrace has been dismantled, you must advise the counter before the beginning of the season.

Annual rent

You must pay the annual seasonal public property occupancy fee (rent) in a single instalment. The fee will be calculated from April 1 to October 31. You will receive an invoice in the mail at the beginning of the season.

Required documents

  • proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, valid for the entire operating period of the terrace. 
  • letter of commitment certifying that there will be no changes in relation to the previous year (name of the establishment, name of owner or operator, building plans)
  • authorization from the building owner 

If applicable:

  • power of attorney signed by the operator

Communication channels

Online
Renew a permit (in French)

You can submit your application online, but the fees must be paid at the counter.

In person

Point of service

Permit counter – Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
By appointment
6854 Rue Sherbrooke Est
Montréal, QC H1N 1E1

You must renew your permit annually.

In order to do so, you must complete the form online or at the counter and provide the required documents.
The permit renewal is free of charge.

Required documents

  • proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, valid for the entire operating period of the terrace. 
  • letter of commitment certifying that there will be no changes in relation to the previous year (name of the establishment, name of owner or operator, building plans)
  • authorization from the building owner 

If applicable:

  • power of attorney signed by the operator

Communication channels

Online
Renew a permit (in French)

You can submit your application online, but the fees must be paid at the counter.

In person

Point of service

Permit counter – Montréal-Nord
4241 Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
Montréal, QC H1H 1S4

The permit cannot be renewed. You must submit a new application for a permit each year.

This borough does not authorize commercial terraces on public property.

You must renew your permit annually and confirm that no changes have been made.
If changes in area or materials are made, you must submit a new application.
If only the name of operator changes, you must submit an application to change the identity of the permit holder.
If you do not want to renew your permit and the terrace has been dismantled, you must advise the counter before the beginning of the season.

Annual rent

You will continue to pay the annual rent (or seasonal public property occupancy fee). 

You must pay the rent in a single instalment. The rent is calculated from May 1 to October 31. You will receive an invoice at the beginning of the season.

Fee

Taxes are included.

Type of fee

Amount

Permit

$64

Additional fees may apply if the terrace occupies part of a private property.

Document

  • Info-permis - Cafés-terrasses secteur commercial - RDP-PAT (in French) [PDF 101 KB]

Required documents

  • letter certifying that no changes have been made to the terrace
  • proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, valid for the entire operating period of the terrace.

If applicable:

  • power of attorney signed by the operator

Communication channels

In person

Point of service

Permit counter – Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles
12090 Rue Notre-Dame Est
Montréal, QC H1B 2Z1

You must renew your permit annually. In order to do so, you must:

  1. complete the renewal application online or at the permit counter
  2. sign an agreement, then pay the permit application fee and the rent (seasonal terraces only) at the permit counter

Your permit will only be renewed if, in the previous year, you met all the requirements established by the borough.

In addition, every aspect of your terrace layout must resemble the plan that was authorized in the previous year.

If you are a new operator and you intend to keep the terrace as is, you can simply submit an application with a change of operator.

If there are changes (new arrangement, area, materials), you must submit a new application for a permit.

Operating period

Seasonal terrace

From May 1 to October  31.

Pop-up terrace

Throughout the year, with certain conditions.

Fees

Taxes are included. No amount is refundable.

Important
Operation of the terrace (patio) must also comply with all health standards established by public health authorities, and with the regulations of the Régie des alcools (the RACJ).

Seasonal terrace

Additional fees may apply if the terrace occupies part of a private property.

Type of fee

Amount

Processing fee and permit

$50

Pop-up terrace

Type of fee

Amount

Permit

$50

Required documents

  • Upon request, proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, valid for the entire operating period of the terrace. 
  • letter of commitment certifying that there will be no changes in relation to the previous year (name of the establishment, name of owner or operator, building plans)
  • authorization from the building owner 

If applicable:

  • power of attorney signed by the operator

Renew your permit

Online
Complete the form (in French)
In person

Permit counter – Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
5650 Rue D'Iberville
Second floor
Montréal, QC H2G 2B3

Bring the required documents.

This service is not offered in this borough.

This borough does not authorize commercial terraces on public property.

The permit cannot be renewed. You must submit a new application for a permit each year.

A commercial terrace permit is only valid for a specific period of time and renewal must be applied for at the beginning of each year.

The layout must be identical to that of the previous year.

Fees

$50

Seasonal public property occupancy fee (annual rent)

No annual rent will be charged in 2022.

Communication channels

Online
Renew a permit (in French)

You can submit your application online, but the fees must be paid at the counter.

In person

Point de service

Permit counter – Ville-Marie
800 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Est
17th floor
Montréal, QC H2L 4L8

You must renew your permit annually, online or at the counter, and confirm that no changes have been made. 

If there have been changes, you must submit a new application for a permit, regardless of what those changes are.

If you do not want to renew your permit and the terrace has been dismantled, you must advise the counter before the beginning of the season.

Annual rent

You must pay the seasonal public property occupancy fee (rent) annually,  in a single instalment. It is calculated from May 1 to October 31.

Fee

There is no charge for the identical renewal of a permit.

Required documents

  • letter certifying that no changes have been made to the terrace
  • proof of third-party liability insurance coverage of $2 million, valid for the entire operating period of the terrace.
  • authorization from the building owner 

If applicable:

  • power of attorney signed by the operator

Communication channels

Online
Renew a permit (in French)

You can submit your application online, but the fees must be paid at the counter.

In person

Point of service

Permit counter – Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc Extension
405 Avenue Ogilvy
Suite 111
Montréal, QC H3N 1M3

Select a borough

  • By name
  • By address

Boroughs

Ahuntsic-CartiervilleAnjouCôte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-GrâceLachineLaSalleLe Plateau-Mont-RoyalLe Sud-OuestL'Île-Bizard–Sainte-GenevièveMercier–Hochelaga-MaisonneuveMontréal-NordOutremontPierrefonds-RoxboroRivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-TremblesRosemont–La Petite-PatrieSaint-LaurentSaint-LéonardVerdunVille-MarieVilleray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension
Enter an address to find its borough

Things to know

The permit must be posted inside the establishment at all times.

Other procedures

  • Build a commercial terrace on public property
  • Apply for a permit to build a commercial terrace on public property
  • Apply for a permit to operate a commercial terrace on public property with a change of operator

Did you find what you need?

Help us make our site better.

Please explain what could be improved.
Back to top
My account
  • About my Account
  • Create an Account
  • Notices and Alerts
Contact us
  • Access to information request
  • Contact the City
  • Report a Problem
Work with us
  • Call for Bids
  • City Vendors (in French)
  • Jobs
Visiting Montréal
  • City Hall
  • MTLWiFi
  • Tourisme Montréal
About us
  • By-laws
  • Medias
  • News Releases
  • Partnership Agreements
  • Public Notices
Follow us
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
Boroughs
Boroughs
  • Ahuntsic-Cartierville (in French)
  • Anjou (in French)
  • Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
  • L'Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève
  • Lachine
  • LaSalle
  • Le Plateau-Mont-Royal (in French)
  • Le Sud-Ouest (in French)
  • Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (in French)
  • Montréal-Nord (in French)
  • Outremont (in French)
  • Pierrefonds-Roxboro
  • Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles (in French)
  • Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie (in French)
  • Saint-Laurent
  • Saint-Léonard (in French)
  • Verdun
  • Ville-Marie (in French)
  • Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension (in French)
  • Privacy
  • Legal notice
Français
Are you sure you want to leave this page?

This page is not available in English. You will be redirected to the English home page.

Leave this page