Homeowners are responsible for getting a permit when necessary.

If the owner wishes to have the application submitted by someone else on his or her behalf, a power of attorney letter must be included with the application.

The performance objectives for the Urban Planning and Building Inspection Division are as follows:

• When all the required documents have been submitted for a permit or certificate application for minor works that do not require Municipal Council resolutions, the Urban Planning and Building Inspections department of the Town of Hampstead endeavors to complete the review of the application within a maximum period of 14 days.
• When all the required documents have been submitted for a permit or certificate application for major works requiring one or more Municipal Council resolutions, the AUIB service of the town of Hampstead strives to complete the review of the application within a maximum period of 30 days.
• During excavation and concrete foundation placement works, as well as during the installation of piles for foundation stabilization, the AUIB service of the town of Hampstead aims to conduct weekly site inspections during this critical phase of the projects.

The following list shows the most frequent projects along with the necessary documents needed to obtain the permit (other documents may be requested, depending on the project):

The Urban Planning and Building Inspection Service intends to prioritize, in the approval of permits and subsequently in the inspection of various construction projects, two elements representing known risks in the territory, namely:

1.0 Elements of foundations posing risks to the neighborhood

Hampstead is a town that is part of the Greater Montreal area where no commercial or industrial activities are allowed according to its urban planning regulations. Consequently, there are no risks associated with these activities that could influence municipal permit approval and inspection strategies. With a predominant residential use, the real estate landscape in Hampstead consists almost exclusively of single-family homes that cover the entire town. In this highly residential context, it is necessary to prioritize the risks that exist in Hampstead, which can have an impact on both permit approvals and inspections.

In the portion of the Island of Montreal where Hampstead is located, it is known that the clayey soil on which houses are built presents structural challenges. Over time, many buildings with unstable foundations (not stabilized by the installation of piles) have experienced various problems, including the appearance of cracks and water infiltration in basements. It is increasingly recognized that there is a direct link between climate change and the conditions that accelerate the settling of the clayey surface soils and their drying out. These factors contribute to weakening the foundations of residential buildings and other structures in the town of Hampstead. Another observed phenomenon related to the poor quality of the town’s subsoil is the problem of installing piles for stabilizing existing foundations. These can cause significant damage to adjacent constructions when ground vibration levels exceed certain thresholds. In recent years, this situation has led to legal conflicts between neighboring property owners.

For all these reasons, it is important that the city takes these realities into account in its urban planning regulations to ensure appropriate legislative oversight aimed at minimizing potential negative impacts of construction work within its territory.

The Hampstead City Permit and Certificate Regulation 1004 has been updated with the goal of reducing the negative impacts of construction and pile installation work. The city has also implemented a targeted inspection strategy for these risks.

2.0 Flood Risk Protection

In recent years, residents of the city have experienced flooding during heavy rains. Climate change is likely partly responsible for the increasingly frequent heavy precipitation.

It becomes important that every building within its territory is well protected against the risk of backflow. Plumbing installations must be designed and maintained to effectively mitigate these risks, and unnecessary rainwater capture in private systems should be avoided.

The Urban Planning and Building Inspection Service intends to be proactive by taking action in the field to ensure the minimization of rainwater backflow risks. The requirements of the Plumbing Code must be adhered to.

The “Request for copies of Architectural plans” must be completed, an electronic invoice of 75.00$ will be sent and must be paid in order to obtain copies of plans kept in the Town of Hampstead’s Urban Planning Archives. You will be contacted when the plan copies are received.

*Note that, the “Authorization from owner (Proxy)” section of the form must be filled and signed by the owner, should the request for plan copies be made by someone other than the owner of the property.

New construction, Addition, Pool, Accessory building, Foundation work require an implantation plan.

What is an implantation plan? *French only

For reference, the Town invites you to consult By-law 1004 Section 53-54.

Here below is an example of a plan:

To initiate a condominium conversion, the Town of Hampstead recommends that you read By-law 713.

A minor exemption request begins with an application made on the Request for a Minor Exemption Form to the Urban Planning and Building Inspections Department, clearly explaining why a minor exemption is being requested and what prejudices exist. In addition, two (2) sets of plans and a non-reimbursable application fee for the study of the application and the publication of the public notice.

(Applicants whose requests are refused will be reimbursed an amount upon receipt of a letter withdrawing said request, and this, before the public notice is published.)

Anyone other than the property owner requesting a minor exemption requires written authorization from the property owner.

At least 15 days prior to the meeting where the Town Council shall rule on the application, a notice will be published in a local newspaper stating:

• When the request will be presented to Council for consideration;
• That any interested person may be heard by the Town Council in relation to the application.

The Director of the Urban Planning and Building Inspections, presents the request to the PAC for review at a monthly closed-door Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting. The PAC is a working group consisting of two (2) Town Council members and five (5) residents with an expertise in architecture and urban planning. Some projects may be required to be submitted for acceptance before the obtention of a construction permit. The group examines projects and makes recommendations to the Council when individuals put up a new building, want to expand or make modifications to the exterior facades or want to demolish a building.

PAC document requirements

Call for Candidates – Planning Advisory Committee (PAC)

The Town of Hampstead is seeking candidates to sit on its Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for the duration of its mandate. The mandate given to the Committee by Town Council is to review matters within its jurisdiction in accordance with provisions in the Loi sur l’aménagement et l’urbanisme, RLRQ c A-19.1  and existing By-laws, to provide:

1. Recommendations to Town Council, at its request, on all matters related to planning, zoning, subdivision and construction;
2. Advice concerning minor exemptions (ME), site planning and architectural integration programs (SPAIP), specific construction, alteration, or occupancy proposals for an immoveable (SCAOPI) and demolition;
3. Advice to Town Council regarding any other matter provided for by law.

The candidates sought for this mandate must be members in good standing of the Ordre des architectes du Québec, the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, the Ordre des urbanistes du Québec or be professionals in a related discipline.

Committee members should be members of their respective professional associations and also residents of Hampstead.

Any interested person is invited to submit a letter of interest and resume no later than January 31^st, 2024.

HOW TO APPLY:

You may apply online.

Any selected candidate will be recommended to Town Council who, as the appropriate authority, will make decisions regarding the nomination, if applicable.

After due consideration at the public meeting, Council will take a decision concerning the minor exemption request. The applicant will receive a copy of the resolution from the Town Clerk and, if the response is favourable, they can complete their request for a building permit, subdivision permit, or certificate of authorization by submitting the necessary plans to the Urban Planning and Building Inspections Department.

2024 Planning Advisory Committee (PAC)

Demolition Committee

Abolished and replaced by the Town Council.

***Please note that due to social distancing measures, permit requests, architectural plans copies requests, and documents must be attached to the request. Permits issued via email. Payments by credit card, via secure email.***

For further information regarding permit and certificates fees, please refer to By-Law 1010 Annex E – Town Planning and Building Inspection.

Please call Urban Planning 514-369-8200 for further information.

• 762 – Building Sanitation
• 775 – SPAIP
• 792 – Nuisances
• 1001 – Zoning
• 1003
• 1004
• 1010 – Tarifs