In some sectors, the review could change certain rules, such as what can be built or how land may be used. The goal of the review is not to change all of the standards in the by-laws already in force, but to adapt and update certain provisions in order to meet the development objectives that will be established collectively.
Buildings and uses already in place would remain protected, except where they were built or begun without complying from the outset, which is not the majority of cases. The exact changes will not be known until the new by-laws are ready, and the public will be able to give their input before they are adopted.
What could change
The review could modify certain rules in certain sectors. For example, the changes could affect permitted uses, construction rules, or the development of land. However, the precise impacts cannot be known until the draft by-laws have been prepared.
The review could bring about regulatory changes in certain sectors. These could notably concern permitted uses, land occupancy intensity, and the rules applicable to construction and land development.
However, it would not automatically call into question legally established uses and structures, which could be protected by acquired rights, subject to applicable rules. Thus, a legally built structure that becomes non-conforming following the coming into force of new regulations would not necessarily have to be modified to be brought into conformity, subject to the provisions applicable to acquired rights. This protection could, however, be lost if the non-conforming use is abandoned or discontinued for the period provided for under municipal regulations.
The actual scope of these changes will, however, depend on the provisions adopted in the draft by-laws. The precise impacts cannot be determined until the draft by-laws have been prepared. The adoption of these by-laws will be preceded by public consultation meetings, in accordance with the requirements of the Act respecting land use planning and development.
Projects that have already received a building permit or another valid municipal authorization may generally continue in accordance with the rules in force at the time that authorization was issued, subject to compliance with the associated conditions.
However, following the filing of a notice of motion announcing a regulatory change, the issuance of new permits is temporarily frozen in the affected sectors, in accordance with the applicable provisions, until the new regulations are adopted.
Projects that have been submitted but for which no permit or authorization has yet been issued at the time the new regulations come into force may need to be adjusted to comply with the new provisions.
Once the public engagement process is complete, the municipal team will proceed with drafting the planning program and by-laws. The draft by-laws must go through the steps set out in the Act respecting land use planning and development before coming into force. They will first be submitted for public consultation, explained to residents, and then adopted by City Council. Once adopted, the new by-laws will become applicable on the date the certificate of conformity is issued by the Montreal Agglomeration. Until the certificate of conformity is issued, the regulations currently in force will generally continue to apply.
What is the expected timeline for the revision of the planning program and by-laws?
The City is undertaking this process on its own initiative and is not subject to a legal deadline to revise its planning program and by-laws. It is setting itself a horizon of approximately two years to carry out this reflection, consult the public, and develop tools tailored to the characteristics of the territory and the needs of the community.
| Time period | Steps |
| Fall and winter 2026 | Analyze existing documents and applicable broad guidelines. |
| Winter 2026 - spring 2027 | Conduct an assessment based on the territory's characteristics and the input gathered. |
| Spring - summer 2027 | Determine the broad guidelines and objectives for the future. |
| Summer - fall 2027 | Translate the vision and guidelines into a draft planning program. |
| Fall 2027 - spring 2028 | Draft the by-laws necessary to implement the plan. |
| Spring - summer 2028 | Present the proposals and gather public feedback. |
| Summer - fall 2028 | Refine the documents and proceed with the adoption steps. |
| Fall 2028 and winter 2029 | Complete the compliance steps and bring the new tools into force. |
The two-year timeline is a working horizon. It could change depending on the progress of the analyses, public consultations, coordination with the Montreal Agglomeration, and the steps set out in the Act respecting land use planning and development.