The City of Montréal will work with its boroughs to build the federal Housing Design Catalogue's Quebec plans into local land-use rules, according to a CMHC news release dated October 28, 2026. The announcement was made in Montréal by Caroline Desrochers, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and Caroline Braun, who leads housing and urban planning on the City's Executive Committee.
- Event date: October 28, 2026, in Montréal, Quebec.
- The Housing Design Catalogue is a free library of more than 50 standardized low-rise housing plans aimed at "gentle density."
- Quebec-specific designs were developed by a Montréal architecture firm, KANVA Architecture.
- Montréal says it is working with its boroughs to incorporate the designs into land-use regulations, with the aim of streamlining projects, reducing construction costs and speeding permits.
What the catalogue includes
CMHC says the full technical packages, launched in October 2025, include architectural and engineering drawings and specifications, accessible-ready layouts, energy reporting documents and a user guide. Regional construction cost summaries and guidance on climate resilience and materials are now available too. The designs cover British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and the three territories.
The plans are not ready to build as-is. CMHC states that users must hire a locally qualified professional, such as a licensed architect, engineer or designer, to adapt a design and confirm it meets local bylaws and building codes. The release does not say which zoning or permit rules each Montréal borough will change, or when.
Who is affected
Our interpretation: the change matters most to Montréal homeowners considering adding units to a lot, small builders working on infill or plexes, and buyers looking at new low-rise housing in the city. If boroughs do adopt the designs into their rules, approvals for matching projects could become more predictable. Until each borough publishes its changes, timelines and costs remain uncertain, and any cost savings will depend on the project.
What to check next
- Review the Quebec designs on the catalogue site and the regional cost summaries before budgeting a project.
- Ask your borough's urban planning office whether, and when, the designs will be reflected in its land-use rules.
- Talk to a construction mortgage broker or compare construction lenders early: building financing is usually advanced in draws, and lenders often require an appraisal of the finished value. The construction appraisal directory lists appraisers who do this work.
- Check that any architect, engineer or contractor you hire is licensed in Quebec.
Planning a plex or infill project in Montréal? Start with your borough's rules, then compare financing options for the build.
Sources
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canada announces Montréal's support for the Housing Design Catalogue, 2026-10-28. Accessed 2026-11-01.
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Housing Design Catalogue, 2026-10-28. Accessed 2026-11-01.
This article is general information, not legal, building or financial advice. Program details can change; confirm with CMHC, your borough and a licensed professional.
