Montreal looks to streamline approvals using standardized housing plans
Montreal is working with its boroughs to incorporate standardized federal housing designs into local planning rules, a move intended to lower construction costs and shorten approval times.
The city has endorsed the Quebec designs included in the federal Housing Design Catalogue, including plans developed by Montreal-based KANVA Architecture.
The catalogue contains more than 50 low-rise housing designs intended for infill development and gentle density. Technical packages include architectural and engineering drawings, specifications, energy documentation and information to help builders estimate costs.
“The Housing Design Catalogue is a practical tool tailored to Montreal’s realities,” said Caroline Braun, the city’s executive committee member responsible for housing. “By providing standardized housing designs, it offers an additional way to build faster, better, and at lower cost.”
Builders will still need to hire qualified professionals to adapt the designs to individual sites and ensure they comply with local zoning rules and building codes. Inclusion in the catalogue does not guarantee municipal approval.
The city did not provide a timeline for boroughs to incorporate the designs into their regulations.
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Last modified: November 2, 2026
