What the City calls a sloped roof
A roof is sloped from 2:12, or 16.7%. The procedure that then applies is not the flat roof one.
Shingles to repair, shingles to redo
The City sorts the work into two groups.
Minor repairs and maintenance need no permit. The City cites two examples, repairing the covering or replacing a few shingles.
Major repairs need a permit. That means replacing the roof covering or changing its structure. A permit is also required if the work touches the insulation, even for a simple repair.
The City does not say how many shingles make "a few shingles". If we propose redoing a full roof face, ask the permit counter which side of the line the project falls on.
No materials list for sloped roofs
For flat roofs, Lachine publishes lists of materials. For sloped roofs, the City procedure has none. It specifies no permitted materials, no colours, and no obligation to reuse the original material.
That silence does not mean anything goes. In its fees section, the procedure mentions buildings and areas with heritage value or subject to special architectural standards. Before switching from shingles to metal, or changing colour noticeably, check with the permit counter whether your building is affected.
Asphalt, fibreglass or real wood shingle does appear on a Lachine list, but that list is the one for roofs under 2:12 on existing buildings.
The data sheet and other documents
For a sloped roof, the City asks for:
- the quote or a cost estimate grid, taxes included
- the certificate of location
- the technical data sheet for the planned materials, showing the solar reflectance index
- any other document useful to the review
The data sheet must give the shingle's solar reflectance index, even though the procedure sets no threshold for sloped roofs. Ask us to add it to the quote.
Permit fees
According to the borough's page, review fees are $9.80 per $1,000 of work. The minimum is $167.40 for a strictly residential building and $491.70 for a commercial, industrial, institutional or mixed-use building. These fees are non-refundable.
What you can see from the ground
Stay off the roof. From the sidewalk or the yard, you can spot curling shingles, lifted corners or bare patches. Take photos, then let us inspect.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit to replace a few shingles in Lachine?
No, the City classes replacing a few shingles as a minor repair in Lachine. A permit becomes necessary if the covering is replaced, the structure is changed or the insulation is touched.
What materials are allowed on a sloped roof in Lachine?
The City page does not specify the materials allowed on a sloped roof in Lachine. It only notes, in the fees section, that some buildings or areas are subject to special architectural standards. The permit counter at 1800, boulevard Saint-Joseph can tell you more.
Can shingles be replaced with metal?
The Lachine procedure neither prohibits nor expressly allows metal. Switching from shingles to metal means replacing the covering, so a permit is required, and the data sheet for the proposed material is part of the application.
Official sources, consulted October 3, 2026: