Demolition Review Committee

The Demolition Review Committee consists of three (3) Council members who are appointed from time to time under a resolution of the Council.

Section IV of Chapter VI of Permits and Certificates By-law No. 1316 states that an immovable may not be demolished in whole or in part without a demolition permit having first been obtained.

Furthermore, under By-law No. 1410 Governing the Demolition of Immovables, a “demolition” signifies and includes the act of razing or destroying:

  • More than sixty percent (60%) of the above-ground exterior gross volume of an immovable;
  • More than sixty percent (60%) of the area of the exterior walls of an immovable;
  • More than sixty percent (60%) of the area, projected horizontally, of the roof of an immovable;
  • Or any combination of the preceding components, present in an immovable, the arithmetic sum of which exceeds one hundred fifty percent (150%).

Application for demolition permit

All applications for demolition permits must be submitted to our Urban Planning and Inspection Division by the owner of the immovable to be demolished or by the latter’s duly authorized representative. Such an application must be accompanied by a preliminary program for reuse of the vacated land and all other documents and information specified in Section IV of Chapter VI of Permits and Certificate By-law No. 1316.

The applicant for a demolition permit must submit such documents as the following, in duplicate, along with the application:

  • The technical details needed for the Committee to assess the condition of the immovable covered by the application, the deterioration of the architectural appearance or the aesthetic character of the neighbourhood or of the quality of life in the neighbourhood and the cost of restoration;
  • The anticipated duration of the work and the anticipated occupancy date for any new immovable;
  • Photos of all façades of the immovable and of the surrounding neighbourhood;
  • The layout plan providing details on the immovable’s location, the land use ratio, trees to be kept and those to be felled, sidewalks, entryways and patios that are to be built or added;
  • The streetscape and principal façades of immovables located on each side of the lot, revealing their current and planned integration;
  • $1,000 to cover the cost of reviewing the application, this amount not being refundable whatever the outcome of the application;
  • $500 as a deposit for the cost of publishing the public notice, prior to the publication of this notice. Should the deposit amount be greater than the actual cost of publication, the Town Treasurer shall reimburse the difference to the applicant. If, however, the actual cost of publication is greater, the applicant shall pay the excess to the Town.

Public notice

If approved at least fifteen (15) days prior to the session at which the Committee is to review the application, the clerk must publish a public notice.

Application review

The objective of the Committee when considering applications for demolition is to preserve the character of the existing buildings, and the look and specific character of the three existing built environments corresponding to the three phases in the development of the town’s urban fabric, as stipulated in Site Planning and Architectural Integration By-law No. 1317.

Before deciding on an application for a demolition permit, the Committee must consider the condition of the immovable contemplated in the application, the deterioration of the architectural appearance or of the aesthetic character of the neighbourhood or of the quality of life in the neighbourhood, the cost of restoration, the preliminary program for reuse of the vacated land and all other relevant criteria, such as whether the immovable includes one or more dwellings, the prejudice caused to tenants, the need for dwellings in the surrounding area and the possibility of relocating tenants.

It is understood that the preliminary program for reuse of the vacated land cannot be evaluated by the Committee if it does not comply with the Town of Mount Royal’s by-laws.

Appeal of decision

If the Committee grants the demolition permit, any interested party may, within a period of thirty (30) days following the Committee’s decision, lodge an appeal of this decision in writing with the Council. Any Council member, including a Committee member, may sit on the Council to hear an appeal lodged pursuant to this article.

Issuance of permits

The Town may issue the permit following the thirty-day period, if:

  • The Council’s final approval has been obtained for the plans to carry out the work, as well as for all materials required for the outer façades. Please note that the time frame for approval by the Planning Advisory Committee (CCU) within the framework of its own review of the matter cannot be specifically determined and will depend on the number and scope of matters already on this committee’s agenda;
  • The Town shall obtain a monetary guarantee (by certified cheque or letter of bank guarantee) for an amount not exceeding the value entered on the property roll for the immovable to be demolished at the time of the demolition, to guarantee that the program for reuse of the vacated land will be carried out. The work involved in the program for reuse of the vacated land must be completed within the deadline set by the Demolition Review Committee, failing which the monetary guarantee shall be retained by the Town. If, however, the deadlines are met, this guarantee shall be returned to the owner at the conclusion of the work covered under said program.

Complete list of documents and information to be included with a demolition permit application

  • The address of the immovable to be demolished;
  • The technical details needed by the Committee to assess:
    • The condition of the immovable covered by the application;
    • The deterioration of the architectural appearance;
    • The deterioration of the aesthetic character of the neighbourhood or of the quality of life in the neighbourhood;
    • The cost of restoration.
  • The anticipated duration of the work and the anticipated occupancy date for any new immovable;
  • Photos of all façades of the immovable and of surrounding structures;
  • The layout plan showing the current condition of the immovables;
  • The layout plan providing detailed information on the immovable’s location, the land use ratio, trees to be preserved and to be felled, sidewalks, driveways and patios to be build or added;
  • The streetscape and the principal façade of immovables located on each side of the lot, revealing their current and planned integration;
  • Reasons for the demolition and supporting documents;
  • The program for reuse of the vacated land;
  • Preservation of the community’s character, the appearance and specific character of the three areas of implementation corresponding to the three phases of forming the Town’s urban fabric, pursuant to By-law No. 1317 concerning Layout plans and architectural integration (PIIA);
  • A report from a test or inspection engineer on the immovable to be demolished;
  • A favourable opinion signed by the neighbours;
  • Any other information relevant to an informed understanding of the application.

For all information on the procedure for submitting your demolition permit application to the Town of Mount Royal

Please e-mail us or call 514-734-3042 for further additional details.