--- title: "Permit & HOA Checklist - Your Responsibilities" description: "Review permit and HOA approval considerations for window and door projects in Quebec and Ontario before ordering or scheduling installation work today." image: "https://auroradirect.ca/logotype-116x41-10.png" --- Permits & HOA # 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. Like-for-like swap Often no permit needed Montreal heritage zones Permit often required Condo / HOA Written approval before ordering Bedroom egress 0.35 m² min opening Egress dimension 380 mm (15 in) min ### 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: •You are replacing windows or doors on a **street-facing façade** in a Montreal heritage or architectural control zone (Outremont, TMR, Westmount, Plateau, Old Montreal, etc.) •You are **enlarging an opening** (cutting brick/studs) •You are **creating a new opening** where none existed •You are **changing the use of a room** (e.g., adding an egress window to a basement bedroom) •Your home is a designated **Heritage Property** or located in a mapped heritage/PIIA sector Action (Montreal) Use [montreal.ca](https://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: Material Real wood or aluminum-clad wood may be required on the front façade; PVC is sometimes limited to side or rear elevations. Style & Layout Original grille/muntin patterns, sash proportions, transoms, and arches usually must be maintained. Color Exterior colors may be restricted to an approved palette or to the building's original color scheme. Details Decorative glass, stained glass, and stone or brick details around openings often must be preserved. ### Examples: Outremont & TMR Outremont 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 Town of Mount Royal (TMR) 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 Uniformity You likely must match the specific color, style, and configuration of the building. Approval You typically need written board approval _before_ ordering. Logistics to Arrange: **Elevator Booking:** Reserve the service elevator for delivery/install day **Parking:** Arrange a parking spot for our install truck **Work Hours:** Confirm allowed noise/construction hours ## 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 Checked municipal permit requirements for my scope **and borough** (Montreal, Outremont, TMR, Westmount, etc.) (If Heritage / PIIA zone) Contacted borough or heritage review board for written guidelines (If Condo) Obtained written Board approval (If Condo) Booked elevator and parking Confirmed bedroom windows meet egress codes Resources ## Related Resources [ ### Pre-Install Checklist Prepare your home for installation day Read More →](https://auroradirect.ca/education/guides/pre-install-checklist)[ ### Installation Day Guide What to expect on installation day Read More →](https://auroradirect.ca/education/guides/installation-day-survival-guide)[ ### Rebates & Incentives Quebec & Ontario energy efficiency programs Read More →](https://auroradirect.ca/education/rebates-and-incentives) ## Questions About Permits or Heritage Rules? Our team can help you navigate local requirements and provide documentation for your permit applications. [Book a Free Consultation](https://auroradirect.ca/book-a-visit)[Design & Price Online](https://auroradirect.ca/design-and-price) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://auroradirect.ca"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Education","item":"https://auroradirect.ca/education"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Guides","item":"https://auroradirect.ca/education/guides"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Permit and HOA Checklist","item":"https://auroradirect.ca/education/guides/permit-and-hoa-checklist"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","headline":"Permit & HOA Checklist","description":"Understand your responsibilities for building permits and HOA approvals when replacing windows and doors in Quebec and Ontario.","url":"https://auroradirect.ca/education/guides/permit-and-hoa-checklist","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Aurora Direct","url":"https://auroradirect.ca"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Aurora Direct","url":"https://auroradirect.ca","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://auroradirect.ca/logo-256.png"}},"datePublished":"2025-12-15","dateModified":"2026-08-04"} ```