Commercial roofing in Sainte-Dorothée

What the City says about the area, and what it does not

The land use plan describes Sainte-Dorothée through its homes and its small village core on rue Principale. The plan also places an agricultural zone there, but it does not draw a portrait of the area's businesses or their roofs.

The overall picture is on the page roofing in Sainte-Dorothée.

The flat roof of a business

Article 380 of the Code de l'urbanisme (Laval's urban planning code) speaks of principal and accessory buildings with a flat roof, without setting businesses apart. It requires a green or white covering, or one with a solar reflectance index of at least 78, and it does not say what applies to an existing roof redone identically.

Two exceptions in this article may affect an owner in the area. The first covers buildings and equipment that the Code allows on a roof. The second covers agricultural buildings.

The permit: a page that does not mention roofing

The rule of same material, no permit comes from the City's page on renovating a residence. Nothing allows it to be extended to a business.

For businesses, the City publishes a page on renovating and fitting out a commercial space. There, it requires a construction-improvement permit before altering or fitting out a unit. The listed fees are $172 for the first $5,000, plus $6.10 per $1,000 or part of $1,000. This page does not mention roofing.

Before signing a contract, ask the Service de l'urbanisme (urban planning department) in writing whether your roof project requires a permit, and which one.

A business in the heritage territory

The Code includes a territory of heritage interest in Sainte-Dorothée. The PIIA rule there speaks of the roof of a principal building, without limiting the term to houses. Changing the roofing materials of a principal building may require this approval, a PIIA (site planning and architectural integration program).

The Code exempts replacement with the same material of a similar colour, or with a material that preserves or restores the original or traditional characteristics, as well as renovation work on a flat roof.

Running the job while the business stays open

An open business imposes its constraints on us. Before signing, agree with us in writing on four points.

The schedule. Which days, which hours, and when the tear-off, the noisiest step, takes place.

The grounds. Where the dumpster and the lifting area go, so customers can come and go without crossing them. What covers the doors, the signs and the parked cars.

Rooftop equipment. Who shuts off the ventilation or air conditioning, who turns it back on, and when.

Rain. How the roof is closed up if the weather turns in the middle of the job.

If the building has tenants, give them the dates in writing.

Preparing the visit without climbing

Your part is done at the office, not on the roof. Pull out the invoices for past repairs, find the year of the last work and mark on a plan the spots where water has already come in. The register of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ, Quebec's building authority) is public. Look up the licence of each contractor who bids.

Frequently asked questions