Why look at it area by area
A quote for roofing in Montreal is prepared with the borough's rules in hand. Those rules decide three things.
- whether you need a permit before work starts
- which roofing materials are accepted
- which documents go with the application
A roofer who works on the island often knows these rules. Still, know what your borough asks for before you sign, and have the contract state who handles the permit application.
The seven areas at a glance
The table sums up what the City publishes for each borough. The details, exceptions and required documents are on each area's page.
| Area | Flat roof | Sloped roof |
|---|---|---|
| LaSalle | Permit to replace the roofing. Permitted materials depend on roof area: a list under 300 m², a white or reflective material or an SRI of at least 56 above | Permit to replace the roofing. List of permitted new materials |
| Verdun | Permit to replace the roofing. Green roof, white material or SRI of at least 78 | Permit to replace the roofing. The new material must match the format, colour and texture of the original or of a comparable building |
| Anjou | No permit. White material, SRI of at least 78 or green roof | No permit to repair or replace |
| Lachine | Permit to replace the roofing. List of materials for existing buildings, SRI of at least 78 or green roof for new ones | Permit to replace the roofing or change the structure |
| Montréal-Nord | Permit to replace the roofing. White material, SRI of at least 78 or green roof | Permit to replace the roofing |
| Saint-Laurent | Permit to install or replace the roofing. White gravel, SRI of at least 78 or green roof | No permit to repair or replace with the same material. Permit if the material or the structure changes |
| Pierrefonds | Permit for a roof made of materials other than asphalt, or if the material changes. Light-coloured material with an SRI of at least 66, or green roof | No permit to replace asphalt shingles with asphalt shingles. Permit if the material changes |
What changes most from one area to another
The permit. Anjou requires none, for a flat roof or a sloped roof. LaSalle, Verdun, Lachine and Montréal-Nord, on the other hand, require one to replace the roofing on both types of roof. Saint-Laurent sits in between. A permit is needed for flat roofing, but not to redo a sloped roof with the same material. In Pierrefonds, the exemption named by the City covers asphalt shingles replaced with asphalt shingles. Any change of material there requires a permit.
The flat roof. In five of the seven areas, the City requires white, light-coloured or reflective roofing, or a green roof. The solar reflectance index threshold is 78 in Verdun, Anjou, Montréal-Nord and Saint-Laurent, and 66 in Pierrefonds. LaSalle sets it at 56, but only for roofs over 300 m². Below that surface, LaSalle works with a list of permitted materials. Lachine does the same for existing buildings and keeps the threshold of 78 for new construction.
The sloped roof. The City publishes fewer material requirements here, with three exceptions. In Verdun, new roofing must match the format, colour and texture of the original material, or those of a comparable building on the same stretch of street. LaSalle imposes a list of new materials. Pierrefonds publishes a list of prohibited materials.
How to use these pages
- Find your area in the table.
- Open its page to read the full rules.
- Then pick the page that matches your roof, whether flat, shingled, commercial or a full replacement.
- Ask us for a quote and mention your area.
If your area is not on the list, the same City procedures exist for each of the 19 boroughs. Your borough's permit counter remains the reference.
The limits of these pages
The rules were read on the City website on October 3, 2026. Rules change, and a building can have a feature the summary does not show, such as heritage value. Always confirm with the permit counter before ordering materials.
Frequently asked questions
Are roofing rules the same everywhere in Montreal?
No, permit and material rules vary by Montreal borough. The same job can require a permit in one area and none in the area next door.
Where can you redo a roof without a permit in Montreal?
In Anjou, the City requires no permit to repair or replace a flat or sloped roof. In Saint-Laurent, a sloped roof can be redone without a permit if the material stays the same. In Pierrefonds, the City names a single case, asphalt shingles replaced with asphalt shingles.
My area is not on the list. What should I do?
Read the City procedure for your borough, or call your permit counter. You can also ask us for a quote. The form accepts every area of the Montreal region.
Official sources, consulted October 3, 2026: