Skip to main content
default

Building Permit Process

picture of a markham park

The City of Markham makes it easy to get a building permit!

Follow the three steps below to get your permit.

Building Code changes in effect January 1, 2020 apply to all new applications accepted after December 31, 2019. Find out more on the Province of Ontario's Building Code Updates page. 

Confirm whether your project needs a permit and which zoning requirements and applicable laws apply to your property.

Before planning your project, find out what Zoning By-laws and other Applicable Laws apply to your project.

 

NOTE: On September 19, 2024, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) approved the City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law (CZBL) 2024-19 on a City-wide basis, save and except for lands associated with remaining site-specific appeals. The OLT has ruled that the CZBL shall be deemed to have come into force on January 31, 2024. 

Not all properties within the City are affected by the new Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2024-19. Please click here to check if your property is affected by this new Zoning By-law. Areas that are greyed out on the attached interactive map are not included in the new Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2024-19.

Please be advised that:

Committee of Adjustment applications currently in process for lands not affected by an appeal to By-law 2024-19 will now be governed by this new zoning document. If a variance was solely required under a previous zoning by-law but is no longer necessary under 2024-19, applicants have the option to withdraw their variance application. Please confer with City Staff on potential next steps.

The Comprehensive Zoning By-law (CZBL) includes transitional provisions in Section 1.7 for complete applications received before January 31, 2024. These provisions will be in effect until January 31, 2027. Any applications affect by these transitional clauses must secure building permits before January 31, 2027.

Zoning By-laws

You need to follow Markham’s zoning by-laws when you build. Our by-laws cover:

  • Land use
  • Building use
  • Structure size, height, location, and more

For example, the City's Zoning By-laws tell you how close to the lot line you can build. They also tell you whether you can put locate a certain type of business at a certain address in Markham.

Use the Zoning Search tool to get zoning information for any property in Markham.

Read our city-wide by-laws:

You can view or by Zoning By-laws at the City's Planning Department. You’ll find us at:

Markham Civic Centre
Thornhill Entrance
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Markham, Ontario, L3R 9W3

 

Zoning Preliminary Review

Zoning Preliminary Reviews are offered for low rise residential, multiple residential and non-residential projects. The service includes a review of preliminary plans and documentation to determine a proposed project's compliance with current zoning by-laws prior to the submission of either a building permit or a Planning Act application.

The fee for this service is based on the type of project. Refer to the Service Fee section of our Fee Schedule for current rates. Please be advised, the Service Fees identified include two (2) review cycles (initial submission and one re-submission). Submissions beyond the second review cycle will incur supplementary review fees in accordance with Markham’s Building By-law.

Note: Where land division is proposed, a single application can be made for both the severed and retained parcels. However, fees will be charged on a per lot basis based on the scope of work proposed.

Zoning Preliminary Reviews are applied for online using ePLAN. Please refer to the Zoning Preliminary Review Checklist and the Zoning Preliminary Review Quick Reference Guide for more information on the documents and drawings required to be submitted.

All uploaded files must comply with our ePLAN Submission Standards. For detailed information on using ePLAN, please review our ePLAN Steps to Success online guide. It provides an overview of the system as well as helpful reference sheets for each step in the process.

Our target review timelines for the first review cycle of a Zoning Preliminary Review are below measured in business days.  The timelines begin from the date the Zoning Preliminary Review fees are paid in full.

Complex Building                                                                                                                                                                                           30               
Housing10
Large Building20
Small Building15
Permanent Tent20

You need a building permit before starting any construction, demolition, or renovation project. We’ve listed the exceptions below.

Please note that the answers below are for general use and don’t cover every situation. For advice on whether your project requires a permit, please contact an Applications Administrator at 905-475-4858.

You do need a Building Permit for the following projects:

 

New Construction:

  • Any new building greater than 10 m2 (108 ft2) in size (the area of the building's footprint)
  • Any new building that contains plumbing, irrespective of size
  • Any addition to an existing building, irrespective of size
  • Concrete porches
  • Raised decks more than (24") above existing grade at any point
  • Detached or attached garages and carports
  • Solariums
  • Addition of a dormer
  • Sunrooms
  • Installing or changing a swimming pool fence enclosure
  • Tents (645 sq. ft. / 60 m2 more ground area)

 

Demolition and Alterations:

  • Demolishing any building greater than 10m2 (108 ft2) in size
  • Adding, removing or altering a structural wall or column
  • Adding, removing or altering a non-loadbearing partition
  • Changing the use of a building
  • Installing a basement entrance
  • Relocating a Building
  • Changing a fireplace from gas to wood or solid fuel burning
  • Roughing in a bathroom or washroom
  • Installing a fireplace or wood stove
  • Renovating a dwelling to provide a full basement
  • Construction separate rooms in a basement
  • Installing an accessory apartment
  • Installing any new plumbing piping
  • Repairing or installing an on-site sewage system
  • Connecting to municipal sanitary and storm sewers
  • Installing a new furnace utilizing a new fuel source
  • Installing an exterior sign
  • An underground sprinkler system connected to building plumbing
  • Installing a solar hot water system
  • Recycling grey water to reduce water use
  • Commercial roof-mounted solar projects
  • Replacing an exterior wall or cladding

You need a building permit whether the work is on the interior or the exterior of the building or dwelling. You can’t get an exemption if you’re only doing construction inside a dwelling.

You don't need a Building Permit for the following housing projects:

  • Constructing detached single-storey accessory buildings (no plumbing) less than 15 m2 in area
  • Decks less than 600 mm (24 inches) above existing grade at all locations
  • Interior damp-proofing basements
  • Replacing plumbing fixtures or water heaters
  • Replacing a furnace or adding air conditioning units or a heat pump
  • Electrical projects
  • Kitchen or bathroom cupboards
  • Painting and decorating
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • Replacing windows or doors with no changes to the size of the rough opening
  • Replacing roofing or shingles
  • Fences other than a pool enclosure fence
  • Retaining walls less than 1 meter in height
  • Sidewalks, planters and landscaping
  • Ground or roof mounted solar photovoltaic panels

Building permits cannot be issued if a project doesn’t comply with Applicable Laws (defined by the Building Code). Applicable laws may be based on the location of your property or the proposed use of the building. Review our Applicable Law Guide (coming soon) for a detailed summary of current applicable laws and what approval documents are required to be included with your permit application.

Perform a Property Details Search to confirm if your property lies in an area subject to certain applicable laws.

Contact

Building Standards Department

101 Town Centre Boulevard

Markham, ON, L3R 9W3

Phone 905.475.4858

Hours

Monday to Friday
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM