Permit-Ready Landscaping Plans: What Montreal Inspectors Ask For

Submitting a landscaping permit application in Montreal can go smoothly or turn into a headache, depending on how prepared you are. Borough inspectors check applications against specific criteria, and incomplete or non-conforming submissions get sent back. Knowing what they want before you apply saves time and avoids delays.

This guide covers what inspectors typically review, what documentation to prepare, and the common reasons applications get rejected.

When you need a permit

Not every landscaping project needs a permit, but plenty do. According to the City of Montreal, permit requirements vary by borough, and some boroughs require authorization for nearly any change to front yard landscaping (Source: Ville de Montreal).

Projects that typically require a permit or certificate of authorization:

• Paving surfaces: Driveways, walkways, and patios made of pavers, concrete, or asphalt
• Retaining walls: Particularly walls over 1 meter (approximately 3 feet) in height
• Outdoor steps and staircases: New construction or major reconstruction
• Fences: New installations, especially in front yards
• Tree removal: Requires a separate tree removal permit in most boroughs
• Grade changes: Any significant alteration to the property's surface grading
• Pool installations: Including the required safety enclosure

Projects that typically don't require a permit:

• Planting flowers, shrubs, and garden beds in existing locations
• Replacing plants with other plants in existing beds
• Lawn installation (sod or seed) on existing graded surfaces
• Garden maintenance and seasonal cleanup

When in doubt, contact your borough permit counter before starting work.

What to prepare for your application

1. Certificate of location

Most boroughs require a current certificate of location (certificat de localisation). This document, prepared by a land surveyor, shows your property boundaries, building footprint, easements, setbacks, and existing structures. If your certificate is more than 10 years old, some boroughs require an updated version.

2. Site plan

The site plan is the most important document in the application. It must be drawn to scale (typically 1:100 or 1:200) and show:

• Property boundaries with dimensions
• Building footprint and setbacks from property lines
• Existing and proposed landscaping elements: patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, fences, and planting areas
• Existing trees with trunk diameter and species identification
• Trees to be removed, protected, or relocated
• Measurements of all proposed hardscape elements (length, width, area)
• Green space calculations showing the percentage of the lot covered by vegetation
• Location of utilities: fire hydrants, service lines, manholes
• Grading arrows indicating drainage direction

3. Detailed cost estimate

Some boroughs base permit fees on the declared value of the work. Fees are sometimes calculated as a percentage of the project cost (for example, $9.80 per $1,000 of declared work value), with minimum fee thresholds that vary by borough (Source: Ville de Montreal).

Be realistic with the cost estimate. Lowballing the value to cut permit fees can create problems at inspection if the actual work clearly exceeds the declared scope.

4. Photographs

Color photos of the existing site from multiple angles. These establish the baseline and help the inspector understand what you're proposing. Include:

• Front, side, and rear views of the property
• Close-ups of areas where work is proposed
• Photos of trees that will be affected
• Photos of any existing structures being modified or removed

5. Material specifications

For hardscaping projects, include the paver product name, manufacturer, color, and pattern. For retaining walls, include the block type, height, and any structural engineering details required (usually for walls over 1 meter). For fences, include height, material, and style.

6. Co-ownership authorization

If the property is a condo, duplex, or triplex with a co-ownership agreement (syndicat de copropriete), the permit application may require written authorization from the other owners or the co-ownership board.

What inspectors focus on

Green space coverage

Many boroughs mandate a minimum percentage of the front yard to be covered with vegetation. The City of Montreal states that the "entire front yard up to the sidewalk" should be planted, excluding stoops, walkways (maximum 2 meters wide), and driveways.

Inspectors calculate your green space percentage based on the site plan. If your proposed patio or driveway expansion pushes the hardscape coverage above the permitted limit, the application will be flagged.

How to address it: If you need more hardscape than the green space rules allow, consider permeable pavers (some boroughs count these as partially permeable), vertical gardens, or planter walls that add vegetation within the hardscape footprint.

Tree protection

Montreal doesn't mess around with tree protection. If your project affects any tree on your property, the inspector will look for:

• A tree inventory identifying species, trunk diameter, and health status
• A protection plan for trees being retained (root zone fencing during construction)
• Justification for any trees being removed
• A replacement planting plan (many boroughs require one-for-one tree replacement)

Drainage impact

Inspectors check whether your project will change drainage patterns in ways that affect neighboring properties or municipal infrastructure. Your site plan should include grading arrows showing water flow direction, and the proposed design should demonstrate that water is directed away from buildings and toward appropriate discharge points.

Setbacks and easements

Every property has required setbacks from property lines, and many have utility easements where construction is not permitted. The site plan must show that all proposed elements respect these limits.

Heritage and character areas

Properties in designated heritage areas (near Mount Royal, Old Montreal, and certain borough-specific character zones) face extra design review. Materials, colors, and styles may need to match the neighborhood character. The inspector may require additional documentation or review by a heritage committee.

Common reasons for rejection

Insufficient green space

The most common reason for rejection in front yard projects. The proposed design paves over too much of the front yard, dropping below the required vegetation percentage.

Missing tree protection plan

Proposing work near existing trees without documenting how the trees will be protected during construction.

Incomplete site plan

Missing dimensions, missing utility locations, or a plan not drawn to scale. Inspectors cannot verify compliance without accurate measurements.

Non-conforming materials or heights

A fence that exceeds the permitted height, a retaining wall that exceeds the height threshold for permit-exempt construction, or materials that do not meet borough standards.

No drainage analysis

Proposing a large hardscape installation without showing how stormwater will be managed.

Permit fees

Fees vary by borough but generally range from $50 to $1,595 depending on the property type and scope of work. Some boroughs charge a flat fee, while others use a formula based on declared project value. Contact your borough permit counter for specific rates.

Processing time

Typical processing time for a landscaping permit in Montreal is 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the borough and the complexity of the project. Heritage areas and projects requiring committee review may take longer.

Plan your permit application well before your desired construction start date. Submitting in January or February for a spring start gives adequate time for processing and any revisions.

How we help with permits

Montreal Paysagement Pro prepares the site plans, material specs, and technical documentation needed for permit applications across all Montreal boroughs. We know what each borough wants and put together applications that are complete on the first go.

Call 514-900-3867 to discuss your project and permit requirements. We provide estimates by phone, photo, or video.