Custom homes in Markham
Four heritage villages, established neighbourhoods and a new city-wide zoning by-law that does not yet cover every property.
Building in Markham: who decides what
- Zoning
- Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2024-19, enacted on January 31, 2024 and in force from that date, except on lands with site-specific appeals.
- Lands left out
- Some properties stay under one of the older parent by-laws. The City’s interactive zoning map shows which.
- Heritage
- Four heritage conservation districts: Buttonville, Markham Village, Thornhill and Unionville.
- Minor variances
- City of Markham Committee of Adjustment.
- Conservation authority
- Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, for lots near the Rouge and Don valleys and their tributaries.
- Construction hours
- Weekdays until 7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and not on Sundays or statutory holidays (Noise By-law 2017-74).
What building in Markham involves
Markham replaced 46 older zoning by-laws, passed between 1954 and 2004, with Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2024-19. Council enacted it on January 31, 2024, and on September 19, 2024 the Ontario Land Tribunal approved it city-wide, apart from lands with site-specific appeals.
The new by-law does not reach every lot. Lands rezoned after June 12, 2014 and certain lands under the 2014 Official Plan were left out, so the first step is to confirm which by-law governs the property.
Thornhill, Unionville, Markham Village and Buttonville are heritage conservation districts, and inside them all exterior changes to buildings and properties need heritage review and approval. Thornhill straddles Yonge Street: the Markham side is under Markham’s district plan and the Vaughan side under Vaughan’s.
What the zoning by-law controls
The standards differ by zone and by municipality. The questions are the same on every lot.
- Lot frontage and areaSet which zone standards apply.
- Front yardMinimum distance from the street line.
- Side yardsMinimum distance to each side lot line.
- Rear yardMinimum distance to the back lot line.
- Lot coverageShare of the lot that buildings may cover.
- Driveway and landscapingDriveway width and soft landscaping in the front yard.
- Building heightMeasured from established grade as the by-law defines.
What we build in Markham
- Custom homesNew houses on lots in Markham, from zoning review to occupancy.Details
- Renovations and additionsRear, side and second-storey additions and full-house renovations.Details
- Interiors and millworkKitchens, panelling, closets and built-ins.Details
- Landscaping and outdoor livingGrading, planting, terraces, pools, pool houses and loggias.Details
Markham questions
Is my property covered by Zoning By-law 2024-19?
Most are, but not all. The City’s interactive zoning map shows the areas left out, which remain under an earlier parent by-law. We confirm it at the start of the zoning review.
Can I build a new house in Unionville or Markham Village?
Yes, with heritage approval. Inside a heritage conservation district the design is reviewed against the district plan before a building permit is issued, so the plan shapes the design from the first sketch.
When can construction happen in Markham?
Saturday work is limited to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekday work stops at 7 p.m., and construction noise is not allowed on Sundays or statutory holidays. Work outside those times needs a noise exemption.
Sources
- City of Markham, Comprehensive Zoning By-law project (By-law 2024-19)
- City of Markham, Zoning Search (Ontario Land Tribunal approval of September 19, 2024)
- City of Markham, Heritage Districts
- City of Markham, Noise By-law 2017-74 and its 2024 amendment
Checked against these sources on . This page is general information about building in Ontario. It is not legal advice, and the rules change, so confirm the current requirement for your project.
