Housing and Permits

Most projects require a permit or a certificate of authorisation. The permit or certificate is delivered within 30 days of receipt of a complete application, including all the required support documents. Please note that processing time may be greater in cases requiring a ministerial authorisation or a water property rights permit from the State. When the technical file is complete, a ministerial decision may be rendered within 75 days.

We highly recommend that you consult a municipal inspector before buying a property or incurring expenditures for a project.

Application for a permit or certificate of authorisation

An application for a permit or certificate must be filed with the Municipality’s Planning Department. For an application to be deemed complete, all required documents and payable fees* must be submitted along with the application.

* Fees are payable upon delivery of the permit or certificate.

Projects requiring a permit :

• Tree cutting
• Enlarging or renovating
• Outbuilding
• Residence
• Well
• Change of use
• Demolition of a structure
• Moving a structure
• Sign
• Septic system
• Subdivision
• Pool
• Work undertaken in the riparian zone (dock)

Application for a minor variance

A minor variance is a procedure established by by-law, whereby Council can authorise a project or regularise a work that is under way or has been completed, and which does not fully comply with the provisions of the zoning and/or subdivision by-laws.

Procedure to obtain a minor variance

An application for a minor variance, duly completed and signed, must be filed along with :

• payment of the applicable processing fee;
• any document which might assist in reviewing the application (e.g. : layout plan, drawing, location certificate, pictures).

The municipal inspector verifies the application and its contents and, if needed, requests additional documents.

The Planning Advisory Committee (CCU) reviews the application and issues recommendations to Council

The CCU meets once per month (usually on the second Monday). The application must be filed with the Municipality at latest on the first Monday of the month. Look for the icon in the calendar for the date of the next CCU meeting.

 In most cases, Council will render a decision at its next regular sitting.

A public notice is posted on the municipal bulletin boards at least 15 days before the sitting of Council during which a decision is to be rendered.

Council renders its decision at a public meeting, by resolution:

• If the application is denied, the decision is sent to the applicant.
• If the application is accepted, the inspector delivers the permit or certificate to the applicant.

Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for the processing of an application for a minor variance.

Comprehensive Development Programs

The By-law respecting Comprehensive development programs (PAE) (in French only) establishes a series of criteria for residential development in order to better take into account the natural environment (cluster development).

To find out more about Austin’s PAE (in French only):

• Read the Frequently Asked Questions pamphlet

• View our video

Site Development and Architectural Integration Plans (PIIA)

PIIAs identify certain areas or certain types of projects which are subject to a qualitative assessment when an application for a permit or certificate is filed.

The purpose of the PIIA is to ensure the quality of the site plans and the architectural integration of the project, while taking into account the particulars of every situation.

Is your property subjected to a PIIA?

The By-law respecting site development and architectural integration plans (PIIA) (in French only) defines 5 PIIAs:

PIIA-1

Objective: Ensure that the main characteristics of the existing buildings are preserved (including those of the surrounding land).

Subjected addresses:

• 1 Millington (St-Augustin de Cantorbury Church)
• 15 Millington
• 21 Millington (Town Hall)
• 2125 Nicholas-Austin (L’Oréade)
• 2158 Nicholas-Austin (Les pignons Verts)
• 3 Fisher
• 8 Fisher
• 15 Fisher (Échappée Belle)

PIIA-2

Objectives: Ensure that alterations made to the buildings and vacant lots contribute to the creation of a more harmonized character for the area. Alterations made to the land and the choice of trees are also taken into consideration, with a view to create overall unity while allowing for the preservation of the individual character of each property.

Subjected areas:

• The buildings and land along Nicholas-Austin Road within zones 5.18-UL and 5.23-ID, except those buildings and land already covered by the PIIA-1 and PIIA-3
• New main buildings rebuilt following the demolition or destruction of a main building subjected to the PIIA-1 which is adjacent to Nicholas-Austin Rd.

PIIA-3

Objectives: The PIIA-3 covers an area where ground occupation is typical of a village and buildings are close to the road. It ensures that this proximity is maintained while preserving the main characteristics of existing buildings and of the landscaping typical of villages.

Subjected areas:

• The buildings and land along Millington and Fisher roads, including the General Store, within zones 5.16-RUpu, 5.17-RUpu and 5.18-UL but excluding the buildings and land covered by the PIIA-1;
• New main buildings rebuilt following the demolition or destruction of a main building subjected to the PIIA-1 and adjacent to Millington or Fisher roads.

PIIA-4

Objectives: Control the layout of residential buildings and land to achieve greater unity between architectural types, particularly with respect to building envelopes, covering materials and apertures.

Subjected areas:

Any other residential buildings and land located within zones 5.16-RUpu, 5.17-RUpu, 5.18-UL, 5.19-UL and 5.20-RUpu, that are not covered by the previous PIIAs.

PIIA-5

Objectives :

Main buildings: Prevent roofs with less than two slopes to avoid visual discontinuity with the surrounding buildings.

Subordinate buildings: Achieve greater integration with the main building and with buildings on adjacent properties.

Subjected areas:

Main residential buildings and residential subordinate buildings measuring at least 30 m² (322.9 sq. ft.) in area, when the projected roof has less than two slopes with a minimum incline of 3/12, or does not have a green roof. The PIIA-5 applies to the entire territory except those areas already subjected to the PIIA-1, PIIA-2, PIIA-3 and PIIA-4.

Processing of a permit subjected to a PIIA

An application is filed with the Municipality, along with all required plans and documents.

The municipal inspector analyses the application and verifies that it is complete and compliant with all applicable by-laws. The valid application is then forwarded to the Planning Advisory Committee (CCU), within 60 days of the filing of a valid application.

The CCU reviews the application on the basis of the objectives and criteria established by the PIIA.

The CCU meets once per month (usually on the second Monday). Look for the icon in the calendar for the date of the next CCU meeting.

In most cases, Council will render a decision at its next regular sitting.

The CCU forward its assessment to Council in writing.

In its assessment, the CCU may suggest amendments to render the plans compliant with the objectives and criteria established by the PIIA. In this case, the amendments must be approved by the applicant before Council renders its decision

Council renders its decision at a public sitting:

• If the application is denied, the decision is sent to the applicant.
• If the application is accepted, the inspector delivers the permit or certificate to the applicant.

Allow 4 to 6 weeks for the processing of an application for a permit subjected to a PIIA.

Construction, alteration or occupancy proposals for an immovable (PPCMOI)

The By-law governing specific construction, alteration or occupancy proposals for an immoveable (PPCMOI) allows a project to be undertaken, under certain conditions, even though it does not comply with one or another of the Municipality’s planning by-laws.

The Municipality of Austin’s By-law respecting a PPCMOI applies solely to the property of the former Butters Hospital.