Dumpster permits and bylaws in Montreal — the complete 2025 guide.
Driveway placements never need a permit in Montreal. Street placements require a Permis d'occupation temporaire du domaine public from the City — $45 application + $15–$50/day (varies by borough), 7 business days (borough-dependent) to process. Here's exactly what the bylaw says, what it costs, what the 19 ward-specific rules are, and what happens if you skip it.
Driveway: no permit needed in Montreal. Street: Permis d'occupation temporaire du domaine public, $45 application + $15–$50/day (varies by borough), 7 business days (borough-dependent) processing. Fines for skipping: $150–$500 first offence, doubled for commercial repeats.
Montreal permits by placement
| Placement | Permit needed? | Cost | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway | No | $0 | — |
| Street / curb | Yes | $45 application + $15–$50/day (varies by borough) | 7 business days (borough-dependent) |
| Sidewalk | Yes + closure permit | +$50–$150 | +1 day |
| Private parking lot | No | $0 | — |
Source: https://montreal.ca/demarches/obtenir-un-permis-doccupation-du-domaine-public
Montreal-specific rules contractors get wrong
These are the four rules most Montreal contractors miss until they get fined. Confirm any wardspecific variation with the City office.
- →Each of 19 boroughs sets its own fee schedule — Plateau and Ville-Marie are highest
- →Snow clearance (Dec 1 – Apr 1): permits suspended on declared snow days
- →Bilingual signage required on the bin itself if street-placed
- →Plateau-Mont-Royal: street placement banned entirely on residential streets — driveway only
Fines if you skip the Montreal permit
Cited bylaw: Règlement R.R.V.M. chapitre O-0.1 (Occupation du domaine public). Penalty: $150–$500 first offence, doubled for commercial repeats. The bylaw officer can also order immediate removal at owner expense (typical $400–$800 emergency haul fee).
How Wastebins handles Montreal permits
If you check "street placement" at checkout, we apply for the Permis d'occupation temporaire du domaine public on your behalf, attach the City's required liability certificate, schedule delivery for the day after the permit clears, and post the permit number on your dumpster as required. Standard add-on: $85 flat (covers fee + our admin). No-permit risk transferred to us.
Get a Montreal quote with permit handling →Montreal dumpster bylaw FAQs
Do I need a permit to put a dumpster in my driveway in Montreal?
No. Montreal does not require a permit for any dumpster placed entirely on private property — driveways, side yards, back yards, parking lots. Permits only apply to street, curb, lane, or sidewalk placements.
How much does a dumpster permit cost in Montreal?
In Montreal, the Permis d'occupation temporaire du domaine public costs $45 application + $15–$50/day (varies by borough). Total cost depends on duration: a typical 7-day reno project ranges between $48 and $200. The exact fee schedule is published by the City of Montreal.
How long does it take to get a dumpster permit in Montreal?
7 business days (borough-dependent). Most contractors apply 1 week before the dumpster drop date to allow buffer. We handle the application as part of our rental if you flag "street placement" at checkout — adds 1 business day to delivery.
What happens if I put a dumpster on the street without a permit in Montreal?
Per Règlement R.R.V.M. chapitre O-0.1 (Occupation du domaine public), unpermitted street placement carries fines of $150–$500 first offence, doubled for commercial repeats. The bylaw officer can also order immediate removal at the property owner's expense — typically a $400–$800 emergency haul fee on top of the fine.
Are there special rules for Montreal's downtown core?
Each of 19 boroughs sets its own fee schedule — Plateau and Ville-Marie are highest Snow clearance (Dec 1 – Apr 1): permits suspended on declared snow days Always confirm ward-specific rules with the City of Montreal permits office before delivery.
Can I put a dumpster on the sidewalk in Montreal?
Generally no. Montreal requires sidewalks to maintain a clear pedestrian path of at least 1.5m at all times. If your dumpster must occupy sidewalk, you need an additional Sidewalk Closure Permit on top of the placement permit — adds $50–$150 to total cost.