URBAIN Gatineau launches new digital tool for renos and permits

Tashi Farmilo

URBAIN, a new digital tool designed to assist residents with renovation and construction permit applications, has been unveiled by the City of Gatineau. Launching on January 26, 2026, the assistant will be available on gatineau.ca and aims to make urban planning information easier to access and understand for everyone undertaking a project.

Instead of searching through regulations and requirements on their own, residents will be guided step by step through a series of intuitive questions. URBAIN then provides clear, specific information tailored to the type of work planned and the property involved. This approach is expected to reduce delays, limit common errors, and help people better plan their projects from the very beginning.

The first version will support residential construction and development. Over the next two years, the tool will gradually expand to cover subdivisions, demolitions, business permits, and even grant programs, with full implementation expected by the end of 2027. URBAIN is part of a broader effort to modernize services for Gatineau residents, alongside tools like the recently launched interactive map of public services, which displays zoning, environmental risks, and other relevant data.

“With the URBAIN tool, Gatineau wants to bring the counter experience online with accessibility and simplicity. It’s an innovative tool that will act as a true facilitator for the population, giving them the right information before starting any work or even applying for a permit,” said Caroline Murray, City Councillor for the Deschênes district and Chair of the Urban Planning Advisory Committee.