Minor Exemptions

A request for a minor exemption is an exceptional procedure whereby City Council may authorize the execution of planned work or the regularization of work that does not comply with certain dispositions of the zoning by-law or the subdivision by-law.

Please note: for minor variance files related to construction work, a permit or authorization certificate application for this work must be submitted before the minor variance application. 

Read By-law #1576 concerning minor exemptions

Analysis criteria

• The exemption is consistent with the objectives of the City of Westmount Master Plan
• The exemption is minor, in quantitative terms, in terms of environmental impact, and architectural terms
• In the event of work that has already been carried out, it was performed in good faith and after obtaining a permit or certificate
• The application of the regulatory provisions targeted by the application causes serious harm to the person requesting the minor exemption
• The exemption shall not hinder the owners of neighbouring properties in the enjoyment of their right of ownership
• The exemption does not exacerbate safety or public health risks or affect the quality of the environment or general well-being

Required for the preliminary analysis of your request by the Urban Planning Department:

• The minor exemption request form duly completed and signed by the applicant.

Once all the documents have been submitted and your file is complete, the Urban Planning Department will process your application and conduct a preliminary analysis of your project. A representative will then contact you to provide professional advice. A payment link will be sent to you by email once the file is ready to be presented and reviewed by the Urban Planning Advisory Committee (UPAC).

All files must obtain a recommendation from the UPAC before being subject to a decision by the municipal council.

The City Clerk shall, at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which the City Council will consider the request for a minor exemption, publish a public notice stating:

• The date, time and place of the meeting at which Council will decide on the request
• The nature and effect of the request
• The designation of the immovable to which the request relates, using the adjacent roadway and the civic number or, failing that, the cadastral number
• A statement that any interested person may then be heard by council with respect to the request

The municipal council's decision, whether favorable or unfavorable, will be communicated to the applicant. In the case of a favorable decision, the applicant can proceed with their permit or authorization certificate application, if applicable.