Practical guide to choosing and installing your car shelter
Two simple checks prevent most mistakes before buying a car shelter: measure the available space accurately and confirm your municipality’s rules.
Measuring guide
How to measure for your car shelter
Use a measuring tape and record dimensions in feet and inches. Measure each dimension in more than one place if the driveway is irregular.
1. Measure the width
Measure the usable width at the narrowest point. Account for walls, fences, hedges, steps, meters and obstacles. Leave enough room to open the vehicle doors.
2. Measure the length
Measure the actual available space. Make sure the shelter will not block a door, sidewalk, garage entrance, stairway or snow-removal route.
3. Check the height
Measure the highest point of the vehicle, including roof racks or a roof box. Identify gutters, branches and wires.
4. Check the ground
Note the slope, surface type and changes in level. Pavers, asphalt, concrete and soft ground require different installation methods.
For two vehicles
Park the vehicles as they will be positioned, open the doors and measure the total space required.
Before ordering
- available width, length and height;
- number and type of vehicles;
- fixed obstacles and slope;
- photos from the street and from the side;
- city or borough.
Unsure which size to choose? Send us your measurements and photos.
A09 — Municipal regulations
Car shelter rules by municipality
Browse the municipalities in the official Greater Montréal territory. Rules vary by municipality, borough and exact address.
The 82 municipalities of Greater Montréal
This directory follows the official territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. Open your sector to find your municipality.
Montréal agglomeration (16)
Laval (1)
Longueuil agglomeration (5)
North Shore (20)
South Shore (40)
municipalities listed
regulations verified
latest verification
Always confirm the rules with your municipality. Municipalities that are only listed above have not yet received an individual regulatory review.
Montréal Varies by borough
Common period: October 15 to April 15. Typical limits include a maximum height of 3 m, maximum width of 6.5 m, and minimum distances of 0.75 m from the sidewalk, 1.5 m from a fire hydrant and 5 m from an intersection.
View the official regulations →Laval No permit required
Period: October 15 to April 30. The shelter must be located in a driveway or parking area.
View the official regulations →Longueuil No permit required
Period: from the last full weekend of October to the second full weekend of April. Minimum setback of 1.5 m from the curb, sidewalk or bike path.
View the official regulations →Terrebonne No permit required
Period: October 1 to April 30. Follow the required setbacks from the street, sidewalk and fire hydrants.
View the official regulations →CMM directory verified on October 3, 2026. Detailed regulations may change without notice.