The Act respecting tourist accommodation establishments requires that operators of such establishments have a classification certificate that serves as authorization to operate the establishment. Certificates are valid for two years for most of the classes covered in the Act. Consult the submenus in this section to find out about each step in the program.

1. Check with your municipality whether zoning allows the commercial operation of a specific accommodation establishment and can take out civil liability insurance of at least $2 million, as it is highly recommended by the CITQ.
2. Call the CITQ (514 499-0550 or 1 866 499-0550) and give all the information needed to open your file. Have a copy of your property titles (owner) or lease (tenant): a copy of the municipal tax bill may be sufficient.
3. The CITQ send you forms to complete and sign, and an invoice for annual fees related to the classification program ($203.51 + $4.28 per accommodation unit).
4. The CITQ will give you a temporary operator’s permit and will make an appointment with you to conduct the classification visit.
5. The CITQ will ship your classification results and a sign that must be displayed in a conspicuous place at all times, outside your establishment. The rates charged for accommodation must be clearly posted in the reception area.

1. A few months before an establishment’s classification certificate expires, the CITQ must classify it again.
2. Once the classification inspection has been done, the CITQ will give you your classification results and will confirm in writing that your classification is unchanged or send you a new sign for your new classification level.

You can contest your classification results. You have 30 days after receiving your classification results to notify the CITQ in writing of your intention to appeal your classification. The appeal procedure is available in the reserved section for operators.

If you have carried out work that could affect your classification level and would like to be reclassified before the next mandatory classification visit, simply request an interim visit of your establishment. The procedure is in the reserved section for operators.