Planning & Development Applications

Development Services staff have geographically divided Markham into three major Development Districts (West, East & Central) to create a more efficient and effective structure for its overall operations. Special Heritage Districts corresponding to Markham's designated heritage areas have also been included and can be found within all of the major districts.

District Teams include staff from various departments and divisions within the Commission including Planning, Engineering, Urban Design, and Heritage.

Each team has in depth knowledge of activity within their districts and is responsible for all development applications, studies, special projects, and general inquiries regarding development in their district.

The Development District Map and Development Teams Chart below identify the District locations and Team members.

Development Services Commission Development District Teams

Prior to filing an application, please refer to the Planning and Development Application Pre-Consultation Guide on how to apply online via ePLAN.  

We recommend that clients request a Zoning Search Request which is an online service, in order to obtain the uses or setbacks for the property.  A charge of $50.00 will be applied effective January 1, 2020.

ePLAN Submissions

All applications listed below are available for ePLAN digital submission:

• Application of Consent to Sever Property (PDF) | Hearing Dates  ePLAN Guide
• Application for Minor Variance for Permission (PDF) | Hearing Dates  ePLAN Guide
  
• Single Dwelling or Heritage Site Plan Control (PDF) | ePLAN Guide
  
• Official Plan Amendment (PDF) | ePLAN Guide
  
• Draft Plan of Subdivision (PDF)  | ePLAN Guide
• Technical Review of Subdivision (PDF)
  Site Plan Approval Application (PDF) | ePLAN Guide    
  
• Zoning Amendment Application (PDF)  | ePLAN Guide
• Townhouse Siting Approval Application (PDF) | Now accepting applications via ePLAN
• Policy for Establishing Telecommunication Tower/Antenna Facilities (PDF) (including checklist) | ePLAN Guide 
• Condominium Application (PDF) | ePLAN Guide
  

Non-ePLAN Submissions

Contact the team at the Development Services Counter (via email) on how to submit the following applications: 

• Hold Removal (refer to the Zoning Amendment application form)
• Part Lot Control
• Deeming By-Law
• Minister's Zoning Order

Review the York Region and the City's 'The Clean Water Act Water Protection' policies and protection (policies and maps included), prior to submitting a pre-consultation for all types of developments.

The following applications can be submitted without a formal pre-consultation meeting, however, applicants are welcome to discuss their plans before submitting an application.

• Exemption from Part Lot Control and Deeming By-Law Application (PDF) *
• Heritage Permit Application (PDF)* (send materials to the DSC e-mail address)
• Subdivision Agreement Application (PDF) (Legal Department)

Payment Methods

Refer to the Development Services 2020 Application Review Fees:  By-Law 2019-137, as amended. 

Available payment options are as follows:

• Online via ePLAN (Note: Only available for ePLAN applications under $60,000. Only the applicant can pay via ePLAN).
• By cheque, made payable to the City of Markham. Payments by cheque can be dropped off at the dropbox located outside the Thornhill Entrance at 101 Town Centre Boulevard. Please clearly indicate that the cheque is for the Planning and Urban Design department, include the file number, and purpose of payment.

Review the Calculating Development Charges documents for your development & area.

For further assistance and effective correspondence; contact the Development Client Services at dsc@markham.ca for further assistance Monday to Friday - 8 AM to 5 PM.  If you have no email address, you can request additional information by calling 905.475.4861. 

Section 45 of the Planning Act empowers the Committee of Adjustment to grant minor variances to an existing bylaw. Minor variances must to meet all of the following 4 tests under the Planning Act:

• The variance requested must meet the general intent and purpose of the bylaw;
• The variance requested must meet the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan;
• The variance requested must be desirable for the appropriate development of the applicable lands, building or structure; and
• The variance requested must be minor in nature.
• The Planning Act also gives the Committee of Adjustment the authority to grant the enlargement or extension of a legal non-conforming use. The Committee of Adjustment can impose conditions if an application is approved. These conditions must be satisfied before a building permit is issued, unless otherwise specified by the Committee.

Application Form

Application for Minor Variance Permit [PDF].

Please read the application instructions carefully. Submit your application to the Development Services Counter at the Thornhill Entrance, Anthony Roman Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario, L3R 9W3.

Hearing Dates & Filing Deadlines

Please note – Filing deadlines may be modified at the discretion of the Director of Planning and Urban Design. Please contact the Secretary-Treasurer at 905.475.4721 to confirm filing deadlines.

Scheduling of Minor Variances will be determined by the Secretary-Treasurer. It is anticipated that applications are to be heard within 30 days of submission; however, this timing may change, as necessary to co-ordinate internal department and external agency comments to the Applicants, Committee Members and the Public.

2020 Minor Variance Hearing Dates

Please refer to the Minor Variance Application form for current information relating to fees, submission requirements and required plans/drawings.

If you have any further questions, please contact Secretary Treasurer, Committee of Adjustment:

Phone: 905.475.4721

Fax: 905.479.7768

Email: COA@markham.ca

Markham's Committee of Adjustment has delegated authority to grant consents pursuant to Section 53 of the Planning Act. Consent applications may include the following:

• Divide (sever) land for the purpose of sale to create two or more new adjoining properties (however, a plan of subdivision is more appropriate if the creation of numerous new lots is proposed);
• Mortgage purposes;
• Lease purposes for a period of 21 years or more;
• Easements and rights-of-way;
• Correction of title; and
• Other.

Severance applications must meet specific criteria established under the Planning Act, including but not limited to the following:

• Conformity with the Official Plan and compatibility with adjacent uses of land;
• Compliance with the City's Zoning By-laws;
• The availability of adequate servicing (water and sewers);
• Adequacy of vehicular access;
• Suitability of the lands for the proposed use;
• Suitability of the shapes and dimensions of the proposed lots.

The Committee of Adjustment will impose conditions if a consent application is approved. Under the Planning Act, the applicant has one year from the date of approval to satisfy the conditions, and two years from the issuance of the Certificate of the Secretary-Treasurer to register the consent.

Application Form

Application for Consent to Sever Property [PDF]

Please read the application instructions carefully. Submit your application to the Development Services Counter (Thornhill Entrance), Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario, L3R 9W3

Hearing Dates & Filing Deadlines

Please Note: Scheduling of Consents will be determined by the Secretary-Treasurer. It is anticipated that applications are to be heard within six to eight weeks from the date of receiving the application. Hearing dates are assigned at the discretion of the Secretary-Treasurer as it is necessary to co-ordinate internal department and external agency comments to Applicants, Committee Members and the Public.

Fees:

All consent application fees require the collection of an additional 13% for HST. (Applications Fees may change in accordance with By-law 211-83, as amended annually). Application fees are collected, reduced, or waived in accordance with the provisions of Section 69 of the Planning Act.

Last day for appeal of a consent is 20 days from the date that the notice of decision was given under Section 53(17) or 53(24) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c, P.13.

Please refer to the Consent Application form for current information relating to fees, submission requirements and required Drawings.

If you have further questions, please contact the Secretary-Treasurer, Committee of Adjustment:

Phone: 905.475.4721
Fax: 905.479.7768
E-mail: COA@markham.ca