Building Inspector:                Raymond Beshro
Email:                                    rbeshro@montreal-west.ca
Information:                          (514) 481-8125

BUILDING PERMIT

When Is a Permit Required?

A building permit is required for all new constructions, alterations and additions. Alterations include changes to the exterior of a building, removing or adding floors, ceilings, partitions, roofs, windows, doors, stairs, balconies, fences, driveways, awnings and signs. A permit is required before any building, garage or shed is demolished. A permit is also required for the installation of a swimming pool, antenna or fireplace.

A permit is not required for exterior or interior painting, repainting of masonry, minor replacement of decayed wood or masonry, nor for roof repairs (if the repairs match the existing work).

A proposal shall respect all of the Town’s by-laws, the National Building Code and the Quebec Plumbing Code before a permit can be issued

An application for a building permit should include the following documents:

• A short description of the proposed work;
  
• Photographs or scale drawings of existing conditions;
  
• Scale drawings, indicating the nature and the extent of the proposed work in sufficient detail to establish that, when completed, the work will conform to the Town’s-by-laws;
  
• For projects involving new construction additions, decks, stairs, driveways and fences, a site plan showing dimensions of property lines, location of all buildings form the property lines, existing and finished ground levels to an established datum at or adjacent to the site and any tree with a base diameter of 4” or more;
  
• For more complex and extensive projects, it is advisable to submit a preliminary sketch for approval in principle, before proceeding with detailed drawings needed to obtain a permit.

Download a building permit application in pdf

Where proposed changes affect the exterior of the building, including fences, driveways and windows change, the application is referred to the Montreal West Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for its review and recommendations. The PAC, composed primarily of residents from the Town, meets once a month on the second Wednesday of every month. Your proposal must be submitted to the Building Inspector at least one week in advance of the monthly meeting in order to be on the agenda. From the date of the request, the process to obtain a permit may take up to one month and a half.

Failure to obtain a building permit where required will result in the imposition of fines and/or a decision by the Building Inspector to have the proprietor in question commence anew or demolish work already completed.

Driveways
The location and size of driveways are regulated. A permit is required to install a new driveway or to modify an existing driveway.

Exterior Landscaping
The location of trees, shrubs and hedges are regulated. An authorization is required for the cutting down of trees.

Exterior Decks
The size and location of exterior decks and balconies are regulated. Any part of a deck or balcony higher that 2’0” above ground level requires guard rails.

Fences, Walls or Hedges
The maximum height required or a fence, wall or hedge is generally 5’0” or 6’0”, depending on the location of the fence.

Swimming Pools
The location of all swimming pools is regulated. A 6’0” high fence is required around any swimming pool.
Download pool by-law in pdf.