Tenant Improvements & Commercial Renovations in Greater Montréal

It depends on your lease. Quebec commercial leases are highly negotiable, and most shift responsibility for fit-out work, operating permits and the occupancy certificate onto the tenant, while the landlord retains the building structure and base systems. Read the improvement, permit and as-is clauses carefully — and clarify who funds and who applies — before signing, because the default rules can be overridden.

Often, yes. Even in an existing shell, a building permit is generally required when work touches partitions, exits, plumbing, HVAC, fire-rated assemblies or the occupancy classification; simple cosmetic refreshes may not. The work must meet the current Construction Code, and an RBQ-licensed contractor must perform licensable work. Requirements vary by borough, so confirm scope with the municipality before construction.

Likely yes. In Montréal an occupancy permit (certificate of occupancy) is required to run a commercial, industrial or professional activity in a space. A new certificate is needed when the operator changes, the floor area is altered, or the activities change or are added. A change of use can also trigger additional Building Code requirements the previous occupancy didn't face.