Services Available
Services Not Available
- The Cat Adoption and Education Centre, located at the Thornhill Community Centre and Library, is closed until further notice.
General Inquiries
Services Available
Construction Investigation Requests
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- Unsafe buildings and illegal construction activity reports will be investigated.
Building Permit Applications
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- All online permit application functionality including payments of permit fees less than $60K will continue to operate.
- For your permit status: buildingstandards@markham.ca.
- Plan review and permit issuance of electronic permit applications will continue via ePLAN.
- Plan review staff will be available by email.
- Permit processing of all permit types will continue via ePLAN.
Building Inspections
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- Inspection requests can continue to be made by requesting through ePLAN or call in to our automated Permit Inspection Request Line by calling 905.475.4850.
- Inspections of all new construction, including occupancy permits for new and unoccupied buildings, will continue with enhanced procedures for inspector health and safety.
- Permit holders are required to book all required inspections as per the Ontario Building Code. Your inspector will contact you with next steps.
Services Not Available
- Inspections for occupied buildings will be suspended until further notice
Services Available
- The City continues to receive Bylaw inquiries by telephone or e-mail.
- Parking enforcement will continue with a focus on public safety and accessible parking.
- Property standards enforcement will respond only to emergencies.
- Business licensing renewals will be processed through the Contact Centre or web portal.
- For more information on Bylaw Enforcement, Business Licensing or Parking Control, contact 905.477.5530 or customerservice@markham.ca.
Services Not Available
- Non-essential property standards enforcement is postponed until further notice.
- New business licensing issuance is postponed until further notice.
- Permits for the sale of fireworks and for display fireworks will not be issued until further notice.
Please complete COVID-19 screening process upon arrival at a City facility or amenity.
- Markham Civic Centre is open for select services that require in-person assistance (appointment required)
- 8100 Warden Avenue and 555 Miller Avenue are closed to the public until further notice
Online Services
Please complete COVID-19 screening process upon arrival at a City facility or amenity.
Services Available
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Marriage licences will be issued to fulfill an urgent requirement or on a compassionate basis only (licences are valid for 90 days – this provincial legislative requirement has not changed).
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- To obtain a marriage licence during COVID-19, please follow these steps:
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- Complete the marriage application online at least two (2) weeks before your wedding date (this includes paying the Marriage Licence Fee of $166.50 online)
- Once completed, paid and submitted, you will receive an email of the completed application form and the receipt of payment (please check your junk mail if you do not see it in your inbox)
- Print the application form and ensure both applicants sign the form (your signatures must match your official ID signatures)
- Collect all other documents required for the licence for each applicant:
- A valid birth certificate OR a valid Canadian passport OR a valid Record of Landing, AND
- A government issued photo ID, AND
- Any and all divorce certificates and/or foreign divorce authorizations (if applicable)
- Scan and email these documents, along with your signed application to marriageappointment@markham.ca
- You will be contacted by a City of Markham staff person to schedule an appointment to review your documents and receive your licence
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- On the day of your appointment:
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- Come to the Main Entrance of the Markham Civic Centre (101 Town Centre Boulevard)
- Report to Security with your name and appointment
- A City of Markham staff person will come to you to collect your application documents, review the documents, and if everything is in order, issue the marriage licence to you.
- IMPORTANT:
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- Only one applicant may come to the appointment
- Please wear a mask and gloves
- Bring all original identification pieces and your documents in an open Ziploc bag for review by the staff person.
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- If you have any questions about eligibility during COVID-19, please contact the Clerk’s department at 905.477.7000 x2366 from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
- City of Markham Cemeteries
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- Outdoor funeral services including graveside services are limited to a maximum of 100 attendees, however the Funeral Directors must have sufficient staff present to ensure physical distancing is maintained.
Service Not Available
- Online room booking requests
- Business license applications
- Deputation forms
- Lottery licenses
- Mobile sign licenses
Services Not Available:
Community and Allotment Gardens are closed for the season.
Important Information:
The City is committed to supporting local food security. COVID safety protocols were implemented in order that community & allotment gardens could operating safely during the 2020 growing season.
Our Contact Centre is responding to customer service requests at 905.477.5530, customerservice@markham.ca or web chat.
Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday
8 AM to 5 PM (excluding statutory holidays)
The following meetings have gone virtual:
LISTEN LIVE
Note: Heritage Committee, Planning and advisory committee meetings will transition to virtual meetings.
We’re pleased to offer a variety of adapted cultural experiences to residents and visitors during these challenging and unprecedented times.
Learn More
- To ensure continued access to our small business advisory services, the Markham Small Business Centre (MSBC) will remain accessible by phone, email and web meetings for scheduled appointments.
- Seminars and consultations delivered directly by Markham Small Business Centre staff will proceed as scheduled via web meeting, rather than in-person. Participants will be notified directly.
- Access business resources for businesses during the COVID-19 disruption at markham.ca/msbc
- Markham’s Economic Development department will continue to be operational and accessible by phone, email, and online and web conferencing during regular business hours. For more information about doing business in Markham, visit business.markham.ca
The Engineering department is closed to the public with staff working remotely to support City projects.
To submit engineering drawings or reports, please follow these steps:
- Upload to the consultant’s FTP site/Dropbox
- Email the Development Services Front Counter at DSC@markham.ca and the project engineer
To submit cheques, please drop them off at the Markham Civic Centre drop box, located outside the Thornhill Entrance.
Please mark clearly that it is for the Engineering department, the AMANDA Number, purpose of the cheque and project engineer.
Important Safety Information
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Masks, gloves and wipes go in your clear bag garbage:
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Do not put in your blue box or green bin
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Ensure all garbage bags are closed and secured - unbagged or loose garbage will not be collected
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Do not flush any disposable or baby wipes down the toilet
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Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling any waste material
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Rinse your green bin and blue box regularly
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For your safety and that of our waste collectors, it’s vital that you respect physical distancing – keep a distance of 2 metres (6 feet) at all times
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For those who are sick with or who tested positive for COVID-19:
Services Available
- Markham Recycling Depots are open with COVID-19 health and safety measures in place. Read all Guidelines before you visit.
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Leaf and yard material is scheduled to begin on April 6 and will be collected every two weeks. Follow your Collection Schedule for your start date.
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Set up personalized reminders so you never miss another collection day
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Don’t forget to use our
What Goes Where
tool
- Markham Household Hazardous Waste Depot and Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre are open to the public until further notice.
Find out what items are accepted and hours of operation.
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Textile donations are accepted:
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Bag all donated textiles; keep them clean and dry.
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We can’t take textiles that have any health or safety concerns.
The City’s Legal department is closed to the public with staff working remotely to support City services.
The City’s Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to coordinate our efforts in response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak.
Services Available
- Emergency response by the fire department will not be impacted.
- Fire prevention inspections will be scheduled for life-safety concerns only.
- Plan examinations will continue remotely.
Services Not Available
- Public education, school program, station visits and community events are cancelled until further notice.
- Permits for the sale of fireworks and for display fireworks will not be issued until further notice
- Sale of fireworks safety training will not be provided until further notice
Important Information
Facts About Firework Safety Infographic [PDF].
Please complete COVID-19 screening process upon arrival at a City facility or amenity.
Services Available
- Three Markham Public Library branches are open for select services:
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Markham Village
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Thornhill Village
- Unionville
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Hours:
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Monday to Friday: 10 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
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Services Available:
Services Not Available
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
Lama Nicolas, Senior Communications Advisor at lnicolas@markham.ca or 416.671.2890.
All other media inquiries and interview requests:
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450.
Information available here.
Please access select City services online at markham.ca/OnlineServices.
Starting September 1st, 2020 if you have a pre-scheduled Screening or Hearing appointment for a parking ticket dispute it will be held in person at the Markham Civic Centre.
Services Available
- If you have a pre-scheduled screening appointment after September 1, 2020 you are expected to attend your appointment in person.
- Appointments prior to September 1st, 2020 have been contacted via email by our screening officer. If you had an appointment prior to September 1st, 2020 and you have not received an email it means we do not have updated contact information for you. Please email parkingadmin@markham.ca to update your information. We also encourage you to check your email thoroughly (including Junk).
- If you have just received a parking ticket (within the last 15 days) and do not have a confirmed screening appointment but wish to dispute your parking ticket, please proceed to "Dispute Ticket" online to request a screening review.
- You can still pay your parking ticket online, by telephone or by mail at anytime.
Services Available
- Roads, Parks and Forestry operations essential for public safety will not be impacted. These include:
- Winter maintenance
- Road inspections
- Emergency response for forestry, safety devices, drainage, potholes, excess litter and road failures.
- Litter clean-up in City parks and public spaces such as trails, pathways and streets
- Tree Preservation:
- The Tree Preservation Bylaw staff are still administering the Bylaw through review of permit applications, infill development and carrying out site inspections as required.
- Tree permit applications are only being accepted through online submission at this time.
- Payments may be coordinated through the Tree Preservation Technician on the associated file.
Services Not Available
- Park and Forestry regular maintenance limited until further notice.
- Tree planting will be postponed until further notice.
The Planning & Urban Design department is closed to the public with staff working remotely to support City projects.
- Most planning applications (Pre-consultation, Site Plan, Official Plan, Subdivision, Zoning, Minor Variance, Consent and Condominium) can be submitted through ePLAN.
- For inquiries or assistance: dsc@markham.ca or 905.475.4861.
- Re-submissions related to existing (pre-ePLAN) applications must be submitted through consultant’s FTP site/Dropbox, and notify the Development Services Front Counter (dsc@markham.ca) by email and copy the project planner.
- Payments can be made by cheque using the drop box which is located outside the Markham Civic Centre (Thornhill Entrance).
- Please do not leave Cash in the dropbox.
- Please mark clearly that it is for the Planning & Urban Design Department. Include the AMANDA Number, purpose of the cheque and project planner.
Please complete COVID-19 screening process upon arrival at a City facility or amenity.
Public Tennis Courts & Clubs
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Tennis Courts
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Public Tennis Courts at the following nine locations will remain OPEN:
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Bayview Glen Park
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Bayview Reservoir
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Berczy Park South
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Frisby Park
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Johnsview Park
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Laura and Alf Weaver Park
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Robinson Park
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South Unionville Park
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Toogod Park
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NOTE: Tennis posts and nets will be available. No Winter Maintenance Provided
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All other Public Tennis courts are closed.
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Players must adhere to general safety measures and follow tennis court safety measures
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Tennis Clubs
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Tennis Club courts are closed
Outdoor Sport Fields: Baseball Diamonds, Cricket Pitches & Soccer
Fields
Indoor Recreation Facilities & Fitness Centres
Services Not Available
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All facilities are closed for public access until further notice
- Markham Fitness Centres are closed until further notice
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In-person group fitness classes are cancelled until further notice
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All rental permits are cancelled until further notice
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Pre-paid Fitness, Walking Track, Spa and Aquatics memberships purchased prior to March 13, 2020 are suspended until further notice and will be extended based on the number of days closed
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Indoor Tennis Player’s Card Memberships at Angus Glen Tennis Centre purchased prior to December 14, 2020 are suspended until further notice and will be extended based on the number of days closed
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Tennis court bookings at Angus Glen Tennis Centre are not available until further notice
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In-Person personal training services are cancelled and unused sessions will be scheduled when City of Markham fitness centres reopen
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2021 winter in-person registered programs are cancelled
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2021 winter swimming lessons and aquatic leadership programs are cancelled
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Pay-Per-Play programs are cancelled until further notice
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Public swims are cancelled until further notice
Services Available
Register today
- 2021 winter in-person registered programs are cancelled
- 2021 winter swimming lessons and aquatic leadership programs are cancelled
- Pay-Per-Play programs are
cancelled until further notice
- Public swims are cancelled
until further notice
All City-produced and permitted events have been cancelled through to August 31, and will be rescheduled, as appropriate.
The City of Markham approved property tax and fee relief measures to help residents and businesses experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This financial assistance includes:
Benefits for Residents
- No late payment (penalty and interest) charges for residential property taxpayers from April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020:
- Property owners enroled in the Pre-authorized Payment Program (PTP) who are not able to fulfill the April 1, 2020 tax payment, should contact their bank to stop payment of the April 1, 2020 instalment
- For PTP payments beyond April 1, 2020 there is an option to opt out of the program at least two weeks in advance of the instalment date by completing the cancellation form online
- Elimination of the 2020 Stormwater Fee of $50
- Deferral of the April 1, 2020 water rate increase of 7.8%
Benefits for Businesses
- No late payment (penalty and interest) charges for non-residential property taxpayers from October 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020
- Deferral of the 2020 Stormwater Fee, a savings of $560 for a property valued at $2M
- Elimination of the April 1, 2020 water rate increase of 7.8%
- Suspension of the Municipal Accommodation Tax from April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, to provide relief to hoteliers
Please continue to make your property tax payments on their original due dates if you are able. Property taxes are critical to ensuring that the City can continue to provide essential and necessary services to the entire community including fire services, and garbage collection as well as maintaining our infrastructure in a state of good repair.
After December 31st, 2020, penalty and interest charges will be charged on all tax accounts (including previous arrears) that are not fully paid. Penalty and interest charges will be reinstated on arrears as of January 1st, 2021.
Tax Payment
The City of Markham offers a number of convenient ways to pay your property taxes. Taxpayers can use any of the following easy options to make tax payments:
- Online through your bank
- In person at your bank
- By mail (cheque only)
- Dropbox at the Markham Civic Centre: you can also drop off your payments in the drop box outside the Thornhill Entrance of the Markham Civic Centre. (Note: As of January 1, 2020, cash payments are no longer accepted for property taxes)
- Pre-Authorized Tax Payment Plan: 4, 6 or 11 instalments
For further information on payment options, please visit Markham.ca Tax Payment Options
Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up and use ePropertyTax online services to monitor their tax accounts and complete transactions.
Stormwater Fee Deferral
Council has eliminated the stormwater fee for residential and non-residential properties in the calendar year 2020.
The 2020 stormwater fee associated with the property type is applied to the final tax bill for each property in the City of Markham:
- Residential Fee: $50 per residential property
- Non-Residential Stormwater Fee: $28 per $100K of Current Value Assessment (CVA)
- Example: Commercial Plaza with a CVA of $2,000,000
- $2,000,000 x ($28 / $100,000) = $560
- A deferral will result in an additional year being added to the Flood Control Program term.
Water Rate Increase Deferral
Council has approved a deferral of the April 1, 2020 water rate increase of 7.8%. This applies to residential and non-residential properties.
NOTE: If you received a Water & Wastewater Rate Changes insert with your water bill announcing a rate increase as of April 1, 2020, please disregard this. Council’s decision to act swiftly for the benefit of our residents during COVID-19 and defer the 2020 water rate increase to 2021 was after the notice was already in production and distribution. Your bills in 2020 will still reflect the 2019 rates. If you have any concerns about your water bill, please call the Contact Centre at 905.477.5530.
Suspension of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)
Effective April 1, 2020, the MAT will be suspended until December 31, 2020.
Property
Tax and Stormwater Fee Payment Deferral Program
For 2021, Markham Council has approved a new Property Tax and Stormwater Fee Payment Deferral Program to assist property owners who have been financially affected by COVID-19. This assistance is by application only and is meant to aid residential and business property owners who may require payment flexibility throughout the 2021 taxation year.
If you have questions regarding your property tax account or would like to establish a repayment plan, please contact the City at 905-477-5530 or alternatively you can send an email to etax@markham.ca.
Residential Property Owners
Non-residential Property Owners
Services Available
- Our Accounts Payable staff will continue to process invoices.
- Our Procurement staff will continue operations.
Services Not Available
- Cash Counters are closed to the public until further notice.
- The public is encouraged to use eProperty Tax online services to complete their transaction or at their financial institution.
- You can also pay by cheque using the drop box which is located outside the Markham Civic Centre (Thornhill Entrance). Please include your contact information including email address so City staff can provide a receipt.
- For Development Charges that require payment by cheque, please ensure you include the bill number on the cheque. The cheque must be deposited into a drop box located outside the Markham Civic Centre (Thornhill Entrance).
- Please do not leave Cash in the dropbox.
Services Available
- Drinking water sampling per Provincial regulations.
- Water and wastewater emergencies such as breaks and back ups.
- Routine, essential water and wastewater activities.
- Providing locates for Ontario One Call.
- Meter Installation and replacement services provided by Neptune Technologies – Neptune will only carry out emergency meter maintenance works identified by the City.
Services Not Available
- Water and wastewater operators will not be entering private homes for non-emergency services until further notice.
- We will continue to provide customer support through phone calls to resolve resident concerns.
- Meter installations and replacement services provided by Neptune Technologies – All bookings will be cancelled for the year
