Request authorization to undertake work on a heritage property

Last updated December 1, 2021
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Are you planning work on a classified property or located within a classified site, a national historic site or in a protection area that requires authorization under the Cultural Heritage Act? Learn more about submitting a request and the process that follows.

Before beginning work on a building with any provincial heritage status, check with your borough to see if authorization under the Cultural Heritage Act is required.

This request for authorization must be submitted to the borough at the same time as your permit application.

Authorization request process

The process may take several weeks, depending on the complexity of the application.

  1. Submit the application for authorization at the same time as your permit application. If the project does not need a permit, but authorization is required, you must still request authorization from the borough.
  2. The borough will transmit the application to the Division du patrimoine of the municipal Direction de l’urbanisme.
  3. The application will be processed by the Division du patrimoine, which evaluates whether the project will comply with the LPC (the conservation plan established by the minister and the criteria required by municipal by-law). In some cases the application will be submitted to the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications for analysis and issuance of the authorization.
  4. Depending on the nature of the project, it may also be presented to Montréal’s Conseil du patrimoine for a recommendation.
  5. A recommendation is issued by the various bodies.
  6. A decision is made by the urban planning director, the executive committee or city council.
  7. The permit is issued by the borough.
  8. The Division du patrimoine may carry out an inspection to check that the work complies with the authorization as issued. If the work does not comply with the authorization, the urban planning director may take the measures necessary to correct the situation, and issue a fine.

Submit your file to the permit counter of your borough.

Document

Required documents

  • The duly completed form
  • Your contact information, or that of the property owner if the application is made by a third party
  • Information on the property involved:
    • Address
    • Cadastral number
    • Status under the Cultural Heritage Act (contact your borough permit counter to verify the status of your property)
    • Description of the work to be done and documents

Depending on the type of work required or proposed, specific documents will be required. You may have to provide photographs of the property, the Certificate of location, plans, reports from experts, drawings, material samples, etc. For the complete list, see the application form.

Submit an application

In person

Submit your file to the permit counter of your borough.

Legislation