Permit & HOA Checklist
Navigate permits and HOA requirements for your window and door replacement project. Ensuring compliance with local rules is a critical homeowner responsibility.
Your Responsibility
While we handle manufacturing and installation, ensuring your project complies with local permits, heritage rules, and condo/HOA requirements is the homeowner's responsibility. Use this checklist to clear the path for a smooth project.
1. Municipal Building Permits
Understand when permits are required for your project
Most simple window/door replacements (same size, same location) do not require a building permit in many municipalities.
Montreal & Heritage Boroughs
In the City of Montreal and boroughs with heritage or architectural control (e.g., Outremont, Ville de Mont-Royal (TMR), Westmount, Plateau-Mont-Royal, Ville-Marie), a permit is often required even for "like-for-like" replacements on façades visible from the street.
You likely DO need a permit if:
Action (Montreal)
Use montreal.ca to:
- • Look up your borough
- • Check if your property is in a heritage, PIIA, or architectural control zone
- • Confirm if a permit is required for your specific window/door work
Action (Other Municipalities)
Check your local municipality's website (e.g., Oshawa/Durham) or call their building department to confirm permit requirements.
2. Heritage & Historic Zones (Montreal Focus)
Special requirements for heritage and architectural control areas
If you live in a borough or municipality like Outremont, Ville de Mont-Royal (TMR), Westmount, Plateau-Mont-Royal, or Old Montreal (Ville-Marie), your street-facing windows and doors are often subject to additional heritage and architectural rules.
Common Requirements Include:
Real wood or aluminum-clad wood may be required on the front façade; PVC is sometimes limited to side or rear elevations.
Original grille/muntin patterns, sash proportions, transoms, and arches usually must be maintained.
Exterior colors may be restricted to an approved palette or to the building's original color scheme.
Decorative glass, stained glass, and stone or brick details around openings often must be preserved.
Examples: Outremont & TMR
Many streets fall inside mapped heritage or PIIA sectors. Expect the borough to:
- • Review any change to street-facing windows and doors
- • Require matching subdivision patterns (number of lites, transoms, arches)
- • Limit material changes on the main façade
Large portions of TMR are within a recognized heritage area. Typically:
- • A certificate of authorization is required before changing exterior windows/doors visible from the street
- • The town closely controls material, color, and grille patterns to preserve the garden-city character
Montreal Shortcut
Ask your borough: "Is my property in a heritage, PIIA, or architectural control zone, and what are the rules for replacing street-facing windows and doors?"
We Can Help
We can provide detailed cross-section drawings and product specs to support your application to the borough or architectural review board.
3. Condo & HOA Rules
Requirements for condos and communities with homeowners associations
You likely must match the specific color, style, and configuration of the building.
You typically need written board approval before ordering.
Logistics to Arrange:
4. Egress Requirements (Bedrooms)
National Building Code requirements for emergency escape
National Building Code requires every bedroom to have at least one window that opens large enough for escape in a fire.
0.35 m²
Minimum Opening
(3.8 sq. ft.) clear opening area
380 mm
Minimum Dimension
(15 inches) no dimension less than
Easy Operation
Openable without tools or special knowledge
Note: Our experts will flag egress compliance during the Phase 1 Review, but final liability rests with the homeowner.
Summary Checklist
Final homeowner responsibilities before installation begins
Questions About Permits or Heritage Rules?
Our team can help you navigate local requirements and provide documentation for your permit applications.