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GTA PERMITS
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Building Permits in Markham

Residential permit drawings and full application management across the City of Markham. From Unionville heritage homes to Berczy Village subdivisions, we navigate Markham’s complex zoning landscape and ePLAN portal.

Get a Free Quote for Your Markham Project Call (416) 474-9856

Markham Building Permits — 42 Zoning Bylaws. One Team That Knows Them All.

Markham presents a zoning challenge that no other GTA municipality matches: the city is currently regulated by 42 separate zoning bylaws. Not one comprehensive bylaw like Toronto, Mississauga, or Vaughan — but 42 individual instruments, most established between the 1950s and 1980s, each covering a different geographic area with its own zone categories, definitions, setback standards, and permitted uses. Many of these older bylaws are not available in digital format.

GTA Permits has submitted residential building permit applications to the City of Markham consistently. We know how to identify which of the 42 bylaws applies to a given property, navigate the ePLAN digital portal and its $100 pre-application fee, and prepare drawings that satisfy Markham Building Standards examination — including the heritage requirements that apply to properties in Unionville and other designated areas.

Key Facts — Markham

  • Portal: ePLAN Portal
  • Zoning: 42 Separate Zoning Bylaws
  • Typical timeline: 10 to 18 weeks
  • We submit to Markham regularly
  • All examiner correspondence handled
  • Engineering coordination included

What You Need to Know About Building Permits in Markham

Submission Portal

ePLAN Portal

All Markham building permit applications must be submitted online through the ePLAN portal. A non-refundable $100 pre-application fee must be paid before drawings can be uploaded. Markham has specific drawing format and checklist requirements that vary by project type.

Zoning Bylaw

42 Separate Zoning Bylaws

Markham is regulated by 42 separate zoning bylaws — the most complex municipal zoning structure in our service area. The applicable bylaw depends on when and where your property was developed. Identifying the correct bylaw is the essential first step before any Markham project.

What Makes Markham Unique

Markham charges a non-refundable $100 pre-application fee before you can even upload drawings to the ePLAN portal. This fee is separate from the permit fee and is paid at the start of the process regardless of outcome.

Neighbourhoods We Serve in Markham

Unionville Cornell Berczy Village Wismer Markham Village Thornhill

Don’t see your neighbourhood? Contact us — we serve all of Markham.

Our Permit Services in Markham

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Building Permit Drawings

Complete drawing packages prepared specifically for Markham Building — not generic packages that need reworking after the first comment.

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Consulting & Due Diligence

Zoning verification, setback analysis, and permit pathway mapping specific to Markham bylaws and regulations before you commit to drawings.

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Specialty Drawings

Structural, mechanical, and plumbing engineering coordinated with licensed engineers and formatted for Markham Building Standards.

Learn about specialty drawings →

Frequently Asked Questions — Building Permits in Markham

How do I apply for a building permit in Markham?+
All Markham building permit applications must be submitted online through the ePLAN portal. You create an account, pay the $100 pre-application fee, and upload your drawings and supporting documents. We handle the complete submission process on your behalf.
How do I know which zoning bylaw applies to my Markham property?+
Markham is regulated by 42 separate zoning bylaws. The applicable bylaw depends on when and where your property was developed. Post-1995 areas tend to fall under newer instruments; older areas near Unionville and Markham Village may be governed by bylaws from the 1960s or 1970s. We identify the correct bylaw during our initial zoning research.
Can I build a basement apartment in Markham?+
It depends on which zoning bylaw governs your property. Secondary suites are currently permitted under specific bylaws including those covering Cornell, Berczy Village, and other newer subdivisions. Properties in older areas may require a zoning amendment or may not permit secondary suites at all. We verify eligibility before drawings begin.
My property is in Unionville. Are there extra requirements?+
If your property is within the Unionville Heritage Conservation District, any exterior alterations — additions, cladding changes, window replacements — require Heritage Permit approval from the Town before the building permit can be issued. We identify heritage designation during our initial zoning review and coordinate both approvals.
What is the $100 pre-application fee in Markham?+
Markham charges a non-refundable $100 pre-application fee that must be paid before drawings can be uploaded to the ePLAN portal. This fee is separate from the building permit fee and is required for all permit types. It is paid at the start of the process regardless of outcome.

Start Your Markham Permit Today

Tell us your property address and what you want to build. We will confirm what is required in Markham and give you a quote — no obligation.

Get a Free Quote Call (416) 474-9856