Request Traffic Calming Study - Montréal Bylaw

Transportation Quebec 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Quebec

In Montréal, Quebec, neighbourhoods can ask city council or their borough (arrondissement) to open a traffic calming study when speeding, cut-through traffic or pedestrian safety are concerns. Requests typically go to the borough transport or public works team and may involve the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) for enforcement data. This guide explains who to contact, the typical municipal process, timelines, likely outcomes, and practical next steps to move a traffic-calming assessment forward in your neighbourhood.

Who handles requests

Traffic-calming studies are managed at the borough level with technical support from the Ville de Montréal's transport or road operations services. The SPVM and borough road crews provide data and implement measures once approved. Expect coordination between: borough transport/planning, public works, and the police service for speed and collision data.

Start by contacting your borough's transport or public works office with examples of locations, times and photos.

How a study is initiated

  • Submit a formal request to your arrondissement's transport or public works service.
  • Provide evidence: collision reports, speed measurements, photos, and resident statements.
  • Borough evaluates priority against other network needs and safety criteria.
  • If approved, the borough conducts field studies, counts, and proposes measures (speed cushions, curb extensions, signage).

Penalties & Enforcement

Traffic-calming requests themselves are an administrative route and not a contravention. Enforcement of speed and parking infractions on Montréal streets is handled under municipal parking-and-traffic bylaws and provincial highway rules enforced by the SPVM and borough inspectors. Specific fine amounts, escalation rules and non-monetary sanctions for violations tied to traffic-calming locations are not specified on the municipal information pages; consult the borough or the consolidated municipal bylaws for exact figures (current as of February 2026).

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the municipal information pages.
  • Enforcer: Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) and borough by-law/parking inspectors.
  • Appeals and reviews: parking and traffic ticket appeals follow municipal/provincial procedures; specific time limits are set on the ticket or citation (not specified on the municipal information pages).
  • Non-monetary measures: orders to remove obstructions, signage changes, temporary work orders, or engineering changes to the road layout.

Applications & Forms

Many boroughs accept an online request or a written petition from residents; a standardized citywide form may not be published for every arrondissement. Check your borough's contact page for a traffic-calming request form or submit via the city's 311/report system if available.

If your borough has an online form, attach photos and a short chronology of incidents to speed processing.

Community consultation and timelines

After a study is authorized, boroughs generally run local consultations with affected residents, share proposed measures, and schedule implementation subject to budget and technical feasibility. Timelines vary by priority and funding; short-term measures (signage, temporary cushions) can be quicker, while full redesigns require budget cycles.

Expect initial responses from the borough within weeks but full implementations can take months to over a year depending on scope.

Common violations and typical responses

  • Excessive speed — response: speed studies, targeted police enforcement, or physical calming measures.
  • Dangerous turns or sightline issues — response: signage, pavement markings, curb adjustments.
  • Illegal parking obstructing visibility — response: enforcement and revised parking regulations.

FAQ

Who can request a traffic calming study?
Residents, community associations, or councillors can request a study through the borough transport or public works office.
How long does a study take?
Times vary by borough and priority; an initial assessment may take weeks, with implementation from months to over a year.
Are there fees to request a study?
No standard fee is published for requesting a traffic-calming study; boroughs may absorb assessment costs or allocate them within budgets.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: photos, dates/times, witness statements and any collision reports.
  2. Contact your borough's transport or public works office to ask about the formal request process.
  3. Submit the request or petition with supporting documents and request a traffic count if appropriate.
  4. Participate in consultations and review proposed measures when the borough opens a consultation.
  5. If approved, follow implementation notices and report non-compliance to 311 or the SPVM for enforcement.

Key Takeaways

  • Start at the borough level: they lead technical studies and implementations.
  • Evidence and resident support speed up prioritization.
  • Use 311 or the borough contact to follow up and request enforcement data from SPVM.

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