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Permits and Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Montreal: The Easy Guide 2025

As of June 2025, regulations on short-term rentals (Less than 31 days) in Montreal have been reinforced to balance tourism and residential housing availability. Whether you're renting out a condo in the Plateau-Mont-Royal or a bed & breakfast near Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy, respecting these rules is crucial to avoid heavy fines and legal issues. 

This simplified guide details the steps to navigate the municipal and provincial requirements, distinguishing between a principal residence, a commercial property (tourist residence), bed & breakfasts, and non-revenue sharing. Follow these steps for stress-free compliance.

The Simplified Steps to Complying with Regulations

Here are the main steps to start or regularize your short-term rental in Montreal, followed by a detailed description with links and examples.

  1. Check your property's eligibility and get the necessary approvals.
  2. Purchase or adjust your home insurance.
  3. Register with the CITQ (provincial component).
  4. Obtain the municipal permit (municipal component).
  5. Manage tax aspects, including the accommodation tax, and display your registration number.

Step 1: Check Your Property's Eligibility and Get the Necessary Approvals

Before you begin, confirm that your rental project is authorized in your borough and complies with your condominium rules, if applicable. The June 2025 regulations distinguish between several categories.

  • Principal Residence (where you live at least 6 months a year): Authorized from June 10 to September 10 (max. 90 days/year) in most boroughs, except for Lachine, Saint-Laurent, and Saint-Léonard, where it is prohibited.
  • Secondary/Commercial Residence (tourist residence): Prohibited in most boroughs, except in specific sectors:
    • Plateau-Mont-Royal: Boulevard Saint-Laurent (between Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal), Rue Saint-Denis (between Sherbrooke Est and Gilford).
    • Sud-Ouest: Rue Notre-Dame Ouest (between Rose-de-Lima and Charlevoix), Rue Peel and Rue Wellington in Griffintown, Rue du Square-Gallery (between Rue des Bassins and the Lachine Canal). Two tourist residences must be separated by at least 150 metres.
    • Ville-Marie: Rue Sainte-Catherine (between Saint-Mathieu and Atateken). Two tourist residences must be separated by at least 150 metres.
    • Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce: Décarie Boulevard (between De la Savane Street and Côte-Saint-Luc Road), Queen-Mary Road (between Victoria Avenue and Clanranald Avenue), Victoria Avenue (between Plamondon Avenue and Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road), Van Horne Avenue (between Westbury Avenue and Lavoie Street), Côte-des-Neiges Road (between Jean-Talon Street and Queen-Mary Road), De Maisonneuve Boulevard (between Décarie Boulevard and Claremont Avenue).
  • Bed & Breakfasts (B&Bs): A B&B offers services like breakfast.This activity is only permitted in certain boroughs. Regardless of the season, contact your borough to confirm whether a certificate of occupancy is required.
  • Non-Revenue Sharing: Authorized in all boroughs via platforms like HomeExchange (homeexchange.com), with no restrictions, as there is no income.

Condominium Agreement

If your property is a condo, review your condominium's regulations, which may prohibit or restrict short-term rentals. Obtain written approval from the condominium association.

Step 2: Purchase or Adjust Your Home Insurance

Standard home insurance does not cover the risks associated with tourist rentals. Contact your insurer to add specific coverage for civil liability and damages. For a secondary residence or a B&B, opt for commercial insurance, which can also cover lost income. Note that the CITQ requires civil liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 per event. Here are some of the risks covered by a good tourist rental insurance policy:

  • Material Damages: Accidental damage, accelerated wear and tear, theft, or vandalism caused by tenants.
  • Civil Liability: Injuries to tenants on your property or damage they might cause to third parties.
  • Financial Losses: Last-minute cancellations, vacant periods, or other unforeseen costs related to the rental.
  • Nuisances and Conflicts: Neighbor complaints or disputes with the condominium or homeowners' association.

Step 3: Register with the CITQ (Provincial Component)

Any short-term rental requires registration with the CITQ (Corporation of the Tourist Industry of Quebec). The process of opening a file is the same for a principal residence and general tourist accommodation.

Starting Link for Registration:
https://citq.qc.ca/en/ouvertur...

Here are the documents required to open the file:

  • The property title, municipal tax bill, or lease agreement.
  • Proof of civil liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 per event.
  • Exterior and interior photographs of the establishment.
  • Where applicable, a copy of the condominium declaration and/or lease agreement provisions allowing for the operation.

Once your file is ready, choose the form that corresponds to your situation:

Step 4: Obtain the city permit (Municipal Component)

The City of Montreal has imposed specific permits for short-term rentals since June 2025.

  • Permit for Principal Residence: Go to the city's website to submit your file and pay the fees. Here are the essential documents to prepare:
    • The most recent provincial tax assessment notice.
    • A piece of photo ID.
    • Proof of ownership (title, tax bill) or a copy of your lease.
    • If the building is a condominium, the declaration documents or authorization from the syndicate.
  • Permit for Commercial Tourist Residence: Operating a tourist residence is only authorized in certain sectors and requires an occupancy permit. The application is made at your borough's permit counter. The required documents are generally the same as for a principal residence, in addition to the CITQ registration certificate, and sometimes layout plans or legal corporate documents.
  • Permit for a B&B: To obtain the occupancy permit necessary to operate a B&B, you must follow the procedure for commercial activities.

Step 5: Manage Tax Aspects and Display Your Registration Number

  • GST/QST: Register for GST/QST files if your income exceeds $30,000 over 12 months. You can also do it voluntarily to recover taxes on your expenses.
  • Tax on lodging: A 3.5% tax applies. Platforms like Airbnb (airbnb.ca) and Booking (booking.com) collect and remit it automatically. For direct bookings (e.g., Kijiji (kijiji.ca)), you must invoice and declare it yourself.

Display: Include your CITQ number on all your listings (online) and display your CITQ registration certificate as well as your municipal permit in a visible location at the front of the property.

Comparative Table of Rules by Type of Rental

Conclusion: Following the rules, the key to renting with confidence

Complying with the new short-term rental regulations in Montreal since June 2025 is accessible with this simplified guide. Check eligibility in your borough, adjust your insurance, register with the CITQ with the required documents, and obtain a municipal permit by submitting a file including the crucial Revenu Québec document. 

Whether you're renting out your principal residence in Côte-des-Neiges in the summer or operating a commercial tourist residence on Saint-Denis Street, display your CITQ certificate and City of Montreal permit to avoid fines and rent with confidence!

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