One rule, different roofs
A roofing in Laval project falls under the same Code de l'urbanisme (Laval's urban planning code), whatever the area. Three points come up everywhere:
- for a residence, replacing the covering with the same material requires no permit, and replacing it with a new material requires one
- for a flat roof, the Code calls for a green roof, a white covering or a material with a solar reflectance index of at least 78
- the covering is chosen from the list of materials the Code allows
These rules do not weigh the same way on a house with a sloped roof and on a building with a flat roof. The white roof article does not apply to sloped roofs. For a flat roof, the question comes up at every replacement, and the Code does not say what applies to an existing roof redone exactly as before. The Service de l'urbanisme (the City's planning department) can confirm it.
What the City says about each area
| Area | What you find there | What to know for the roof |
|---|---|---|
| Chomedey | Apartment buildings of various sizes, a group of duplexes and fourplexes from 1954-1955, commercial buildings | The Code's article on flat roofs affects many apartment building owners here. The village of Saint-Martin is a heritage area |
| Laval-des-Rapides | An older neighbourhood where the City notes a higher share of plexes and mixed-use buildings, most from the 1940s and 1950s | For a flat roof, the Code requires a green, white or reflective covering, without addressing an existing roof redone identically. The City does not describe the neighbourhood's roofs |
| Sainte-Rose | An 18th-century village core, nearly 200 buildings of interest along boulevard Sainte-Rose, plexes, traditional Canadian houses and residential towers | The village of Sainte-Rose is a heritage area: changing the roof material of a principal building there may require a PIIA (site planning and architectural integration program) in addition to the permit |
| Sainte-Dorothée | Detached or semi-detached single-family homes, a small village core of heritage value on rue Principale, mid-rise multi-family buildings in the northern part | The Code includes a heritage area in Sainte-Dorothée: changing the roof materials of a principal building there may require a PIIA (site planning and architectural integration program) |
| Fabreville | One-storey detached single-family homes, multi-family buildings along boulevard Dagenais Ouest, businesses on boulevard Dagenais, next to a heavy industrial and commercial sector | For a residence, the permit depends on the material: same material, no permit, new material, permit required. The heritage inventory lists only 18 buildings here, one with a flat roof: it does not describe the neighbourhood |
| Duvernay | Detached single-family homes of varied styles and periods, larger buildings and a 1960s commercial core near boulevard de la Concorde | For a house, it all depends on the material: keeping it means no permit, changing it requires one. The City does not describe the area's roofs |
| Vimont | In the train station area, a residential eastern part dominated by single-family homes, and a western part with industrial uses developed mainly in the 2000s | The Code's article on flat roofs does not set industrial buildings apart, and does not address an existing roof redone identically. Saint-Elzéar/Des Laurentides is a heritage area |
Heritage territories
The Code de l'urbanisme designates territories of heritage interest. They include former villages, such as Sainte-Rose, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Saint-Martin and Sainte-Dorothée, as well as a few stretches of boulevards. In these territories, changing the roof covering materials of a main building goes through a PIIA (site planning and architectural integration program). The City describes the PIIA as an additional condition for issuing the permit.
The Code exempts from the PIIA a replacement with the same material in a similar colour, or with a material that preserves or restores the building's original or traditional features. It also exempts renovation work on a flat roof. A similar rule covers heritage buildings located elsewhere, and certain residential complexes.
To find out whether an address is covered, the City refers owners to its Info-règlements tool. You search for the address, and a notice indicates that special provisions apply to the zone.
Before you request a quote
Know two things about your roof: whether it is flat or sloped, and what material covers it today. The shape tells you whether the white roof article concerns you. The material, compared with the one you want to install, matters for the permit. We will confirm both on site.
Do not climb up to check. What you can see from the sidewalk or a window is enough to fill out the request.
Frequently asked questions
Do roofing rules change from one area of Laval to another?
The Code de l'urbanisme applies to the whole city. Extra requirements apply in territories of heritage interest and to heritage buildings, where changing the roof covering may require an additional approval.
How do I know if my address is in a heritage territory?
The City says to look up the address in its Info-règlements tool. A notice appears there when special provisions apply to the zone. A PIIA may then apply to your project.
Where do I apply for a permit?
The City accepts applications online, in Mon Dossier (the City's online portal). Its Service de l'urbanisme also has a counter at 1333, boulevard Chomedey, where an appointment is required.
Official sources, consulted on October 8, 2026: