CityQuebec · Registraire des entreprises du Québec
Start a business in Montreal
Incorporate provincially or federally from the Plateau, Griffintown or Saint-Laurent, then handle municipal steps before they surprise you. $397 registry fee, 2 business days, fees from $149.
Context
Doing business in Montreal, in practice
Incorporation rules are set by the province (Quebec) or federally; what changes in Montreal are permits, zoning and local taxes, handled by the City of Montreal.
Population[n]Source: Statistics Canada, [year] census
Active businesses[n]With an establishment in Montreal
Boroughs19Each applies its own zoning
Director residencyNo requirementProvincial rule
Figures to complete before publishing · Planned sources: city, provincial statistics office, Statistics Canada · Check: [date]Municipal steps to plan
After incorporating, before opening. Confirm each item with your city: amounts and timing stay in brackets until verified.
| Step | Who | Authority | Cost | Timing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy certificate or business licenceCommercial premises or office | Any business with premises | Borough (permit office) | [amount] | [n] days | To verify |
| Home-office useWorking from home | Consultants, freelancers, online sellers | Borough (permit office) (zoning) | [amount] | [n] days | To verify |
| Non-residential property taxIn the rent or billed | Commercial tenants | City of Montreal | [xx]% | Yearly | To verify |
| Sign permitExterior sign | Storefronts | Borough (permit office) | [amount] | [n] days | To verify |
| Specific permitsFood, alcohol, care | Regulated sectors | City and provincial bodies | [amount] | [n] weeks | To verify |
| GST and QST registrationNot municipal, but often forgotten | From $30,000 of taxable sales | Revenu Québec | $0 | Included from Complete | To verify |
This is a checklist, not legal advice. Requirements vary by sector and use. Verification planned on [date] with the City of Montreal.
Services for Montreal
All services in Quebec →Incorporation in QuebecProvincial corporation, filed with Registraire des entreprises du Québec, name checked.From $149 + $397Federal incorporationName protected across Canada, extra-provincial registration to operate locally.From $149 + $200 + [amount]Non-resident in MontrealRegistered office, agent for service, banking help, support in European hours.$699 + $397Ongoing complianceAnnual return, minute book, 60 / 30 / 7-day reminders.From $9/month
Most requested boroughsVille-Marie · Le Plateau-Mont-Royal · Le Sud-Ouest · Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie · Saint-Laurent
« I worked from my Plateau apartment. Nobody told me to check home-office use with the borough. The municipal checklist saved me a nasty surprise. »
FAQ in Montreal
Reviewed by the review board (lawyer licensed in the province).
Can my registered office be my home in Montreal?
Yes for the registry: a civic address is enough. Check with the City of Montreal whether home-office use is allowed in your zone and needs a permit.
Does a 100% online business need a municipal permit?
Usually no occupancy certificate without premises open to the public, but home use is still subject to zoning. Check case by case.
How long from order to certificate?
Filed the day you sign; Registraire des entreprises du Québec processes in 2 business days. You get the certificate by email.
Provincial or federal for a business in Montreal?
Provincial if your customers are mostly in Quebec or your directors live outside Canada. Federal if the name must be protected everywhere; you’ll then also register in Quebec.
Your company in Montreal, ready this week
From $149 + $397 registry fee. Filed same day, certificate in 2 business days.
Start in MontrealOther cities: Quebec City, Laval, Toronto, Vancouver