Exterior Work

• Do you know the respetive historical value of your property?
• Have you read Directive #1 (Introduction to Directives) for renovating and building in Westmount?
• Have you read Directive #2 concerning exterior walls? 
• Have you read Directive #6 concerning landscaping?
• Do you know the zoning for your property?
• Did you read By-law  #1303 concerning Zoning?
• Did you read By-law #1391 concerning Building?

The majority of interventions carried out on characteristic exterior elements of heritage buildings only allow for their restoration or modifications aimed at restoring their original state.

Generally speaking, if your project affects the exterior of the property, it is subject to the Site Planning and Architectural Integration Program (SPAIP) by-law and must be approved by City Council. However, restoration work on the original architectural components and identical replacement work are excluded. (By-law1305 to the SPAIP).

Process of an application subject to the SPAIP by-law

Required for application analysis:
(Items marked with an * are mandatory)

• *A letter describing the scope of the proposed work;
• *A letter from the building owner authorizing the application, if the request is made by a third party;
• *A copy of a recent certificate of location, showing the current conditions of the property;
• *Color photographs of the existing conditions and of samples of all proposed materials;
• A complete set of drawings illustrating the existing and proposed conditions, scaled and dimensioned;
• An official quote, excluding taxes, provided by a contractor or professional.

Additional documents on existing and projected conditions are required depending on the planned intervention.

Balcony, Guard Rails, Deck and Stairs

• *A complete set of plans illustrating existing and proposed conditions, dimensioned and to scale, including details of the railing and stairs in compliance with the National Building Code, in the case of a complete reconstruction; 
• *In the case of an identical reconstruction, a sketch illustrating existing conditions (including dimensions);
• *A dimensioned site plan showing the distances of the structures to all property lines;
• *Detailed site coverage area calculations of all structures above ground including projections, terraces, landings and stairs.

Waterproofing of foundations and French Drains:

• *Site plan or a copy of a recent certificate of location showing the area of work;
• Membrane specifications;
• Detailed report of the present and proposed condition.

Masonry

• *Color photographs of the proposed brick against the existing should it need to be replaced;
• *A detailed report of the present condition and proposed;
• A wall section showing the proposed reconstruction, anchoring details and method of sealing the envelope stamped and signed by an architect if the building is a semi-detached or attached single-family dwelling unit, a multi-family dwelling that contains no more than four units, a mercantile occupancy, business occupancy, industrial occupancy or a combination of such dwellings or occupancies that is not more than two storeys and not more than 300 square metres in gross area after the work is completed and has a single basement level (architects act chapter A-21, section 16.1)

This list is a summary. Please note that any other document and information may be required to obtain a better understanding of the project and assist in processing the application (By-law #1300 on permits and certificates).

Once all the necessary information is gathered, you can submit your application online or in person at the Urban Planning Department at City Hall.

• The applicable fees include the file analysis fees. Please note that the fees related to the issuance of the permit or authorization certificate, if applicable, will be added to this amount.
• The cost of the permit or authorization certificate, if applicable, is calculated based on the cost of the work.

Consult the tariffs by-law for up-to-date rates.

Once the application has been reviewed, the applicant will receive a follow-up by email. 

Even if the application has been authorized, the issuance of the permit or certificate, if applicable, is not automatic; the applicable fees must be paid and certain documents must be submitted. 

An official quote from the contractor including the detailed cost of the proposed work, before taxes, must be submitted.