Before Buying a House Plan: 5 Questions to Ask Your Municipality

Before Buying a House Plan: 5 Questions to Ask Your Municipality

Finding the perfect house plan among Drummond House Plans’ designs is an exciting step. You can already picture yourself in your new kitchen, gathered around the large island or enjoying the natural light pouring through generous windows.

Before purchasing your house plan, however, there is one essential step to take: check the municipal regulations that apply to your lot and make sure your project can comply with them.

In Quebec, urban planning and zoning regulations can vary from one municipality to another — and even from one zone to another. Setback requirements, maximum lot coverage, building height, number of stories, exterior materials, accessory buildings and multigenerational living arrangements can all influence which house plan is right for your property.

A design that works perfectly on one lot may therefore require modifications to be built on another. Before making your final choice, here are 5 important questions to ask your municipality’s planning department, ideally with the house plan information and details about your lot in hand.

🏡 Haven’t Chosen Your Lot Yet?

Before selecting your house plan, factors such as lot size, shape, orientation, topography and municipal regulations can have a significant impact on your project.

👉 Learn How to Choose the Right Lot for Your House

1. What Are the Setback Requirements and Maximum Lot Coverage for My Property?

These rules largely determine the buildable area available on your lot and can directly influence the width, depth and placement of your future home.

• Setback requirements: These are the minimum distances that must be maintained between your home and your property lines, including the front, rear and sides. For example, if a house plan is 50 feet wide but the required side setbacks leave only 44 feet of buildable width, the home cannot be built as shown.
• Maximum lot coverage: This generally refers to the maximum proportion of the property that may be occupied by buildings or structures, depending on the applicable municipal regulations.

💡 The Drummond House Plans approach: Love a house plan, but it is slightly too wide for the buildable area of your lot? Our architectural technologists can evaluate possible modifications to the design, such as adjusting its width or garage configuration, depending on the characteristics of the plan and the requirements that apply to your property.

👉 Does your favourite plan need a few adjustments? Explore our house plan modification services.

2. Is My Property Located in an Area Subject to a PIIA?

In Quebec, certain properties are subject to a PIIA (Plan d’implantation et d’intégration architecturale), generally referred to in English as a Site Planning and Architectural Integration Program.

When a PIIA applies, your project may be evaluated according to additional site planning and architectural integration criteria intended to ensure that the proposed building fits appropriately within its surroundings.

Depending on the criteria that apply to your property, the evaluation may consider:

• exterior materials and finishes;
• building massing and certain architectural features;
• roofing, windows or exterior colours;
• how the building integrates with neighbouring properties and the surrounding landscape.

💡 The Drummond House Plans approach: If your project is subject to a PIIA, bring us the criteria provided by your municipality. Our architectural technologists can evaluate possible adaptations to the house plan and its exterior elevations to better address the requirements that apply to your project.

3. What Building Height and Number of Stories Are Allowed in My Zone?

The maximum building height, number of stories, overall massing and certain site-planning characteristics may be regulated by your municipality. These requirements can influence your choice between a one-story and two-story home, as well as the overall volume and roof design of the house plan you select.

The method used to calculate building height can also vary depending on the regulations that apply to your zone.

💡 The Drummond House Plans approach: Before deciding between a one-story or two-story house plan, check the maximum building height, number of stories and other massing requirements that apply to your property. This information will help our architectural technologists better evaluate whether the design is suitable for your lot.

4. What Rules Apply to a Multigenerational Home or Accessory Buildings?

If your project includes living space for a family member, a detached garage, shed or another accessory building, it is important to check the specific rules that apply in your municipality. These requirements can vary considerably from one municipality — and sometimes from one zone — to another.

• For a multigenerational home: some municipalities regulate factors such as the size or proportion of the space intended for the family member, the number and location of entrances, the interior layout or the exterior appearance of the home. These requirements may determine the conditions under which a multigenerational living arrangement is permitted within a single-family home.
• For a detached garage, shed or other accessory building: municipal regulations may govern its size, height, location on the property and the distances that must be maintained from the house and property lines.

👉 To better understand the different ways these homes can be designed, read our complete guide to multigenerational house plans.

Before selecting your house plan, ask your municipality whether your project is permitted in your zone and which specific requirements must be met.

💡 The Drummond House Plans approach: Knowing these requirements from the beginning allows our architectural technologists to better evaluate possible modifications to your house plan and incorporate the specific needs of your project into the design. Checking these requirements early can also help you prepare a project that is better aligned with municipal expectations.

🏡 Planning a Multigenerational Home?

Explore house plans designed to allow multiple generations to live under one roof while preserving privacy and independence for everyone.

👉 Explore Our Multigenerational House Plans

5. If My Lot Is Not Serviced, What Should I Consider for the Septic System and Well?

If your property is not connected to municipal sewer and water services, the septic system and drinking water supply should be considered early in the planning process. Soil conditions, available space, topography and the location of the house can all influence how the property can be developed.

In Quebec, septic systems for isolated dwellings are governed by the Regulation respecting waste water disposal systems for isolated dwellings (Q-2, r. 22), which is administered by municipalities.

• Site conditions: Before determining which type of septic system is appropriate, factors such as soil and site characteristics, as well as installation constraints, must be considered. The appropriate system therefore depends on more than simply the size of the lot.
• Required separation distances: The location of the house, septic system, well and other features on the property must be planned according to the applicable requirements and separation distances.
• Number of bedrooms: The number of bedrooms is one of the factors considered when planning a residential septic system. The house design and septic system should therefore be considered together from the beginning of the project.

💡 The Drummond House Plans approach: Before making your final choice of house plan, verify the septic system and well requirements with the appropriate professionals and your municipality. This information will help our architectural technologists better position and adapt the house to the property, while taking into account the number of bedrooms and other characteristics of your project.

💧 Building on a Lot Without Municipal Sewer Services?

Different wastewater treatment solutions may be available depending on the characteristics of your property and the applicable requirements.

👉 Learn More About the Ecoflo® Septic System

Check Before Buying Your House Plan

Taking the time to check a few key requirements with your municipality before purchasing your house plan can help you avoid unexpected modifications, delays and additional expenses.

Before making your final choice, make sure you understand the setback and lot coverage requirements, applicable architectural criteria, maximum building height and number of stories, rules governing accessory buildings or multigenerational homes, and septic system requirements when your property is not served by municipal infrastructure.

Once you have this information in hand, you will be in a much better position to choose a house plan that truly suits your property, your budget and your lifestyle.

Next Step: Choose the Right House Plan

Now that you know the main constraints affecting your property, learn how to choose a house plan based on your needs, lifestyle, lot and building project.

👉 Learn How to Choose the Right House Plan

🏡 Ready to Find Your House Plan?

Explore our designs to find a house plan that suits your property, your needs and your lifestyle.

👉 Find Your House Plan

🏡 Have Your Municipal Requirements in Hand?

Bring them to one of our Drummond House Plans regional offices. Our architectural technologists can help you select a pre-designed house plan, evaluate the modifications your project may require or create a custom design tailored to your property and needs.

👉 Find a Drummond House Plans Office Near You

Please note: Municipal regulations and requirements can vary depending on the municipality, zoning district, property and nature of the project. The information in this article is provided for general guidance. Before purchasing a house plan or beginning your project, confirm the requirements that apply to your property with your municipality and the appropriate professionals.