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Building a deck in Markham can totally transform your backyard, but the permit process? It’s not as daunting as it sounds. Most decks here need a building permit, especially if they’re raised more than 24 inches above the ground or attached to your house. We’ve guided a lot of homeowners through this maze and know what the city expects on those applications.
The trick to quick approval is understanding a few key requirements right from the start. Markham’s Building Standards Department sticks to the Ontario Building Code and local zoning bylaws, so your deck has to meet specific setback distances, height limits, and construction standards. If you get these details right early, you’ll avoid weeks of frustrating revisions.
We’ll cover how to figure out if you even need a permit and what a successful application looks like. Hopefully, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what Markham wants and how to get your project green-lit without a ton of hassle.
Key Takeaways
- Most decks in Markham need permits, especially if they’re over 24 inches high or attached to your house
- Meeting Ontario Building Code and local setback rules from the start speeds up approval
- Submitting a complete application with good drawings and specs helps you avoid delays
When Deck Permits Are Required in Markham
Markham has some pretty clear rules about when you need a permit for your deck. Height, total area, and whether the deck attaches to your home are the big factors.
Permit Triggers: Height, Size, and Attachment
You’ll need a building permit if your deck hits any of these:
- Height: More than 600 millimetres (2 feet) above ground
- Size: Over 10 square metres (108 square feet)
- Attachment: Connected to your house
Just multiply your deck’s length by its width to get the area. So, a 4-metre by 3-metre deck? That’s 12 square metres—definitely needs a permit.
Even a tiny deck needs a permit if it attaches to your house. The city wants to make sure attached decks don’t mess with your home’s structure.
Measure the height from the natural ground to the top of the deck. Sloped yards can make a “low” deck suddenly too tall—seen that surprise more than once.
Types of Decks Requiring Permits
Attached decks always need permits, no matter their size or height. That includes decks connected to your house, walk-out basement decks, and anything on the second storey.
Elevated decks over 600mm high need approval, even if they’re freestanding. Think pool decks, raised garden decks, or any platform on a slope.
Large ground-level decks (over 10 square metres) need permits too. Lots of people run into this with big entertaining spaces or wraparound designs.
Multi-level decks and decks with extras like pergolas or built-in seating usually need permits because of their size and complexity.
Common Scenarios Needing Approval
Most backyard entertainment decks need permits—they’re usually attached or just too big.
If you’re replacing an old deck, you still need a new permit. You can’t just rebuild with the old paperwork.
Pool decks almost always need permits, thanks to safety rules and size limits around pools.
Walk-out basement decks need approval since they’re usually both elevated and attached.
Even “temporary” decks need permits if they meet the height, size, or attachment criteria. Markham doesn’t really care if you call it temporary—it still counts.
When You Don’t Need a Deck Permit in Markham
There are a few loopholes in Markham’s rules for low, uncovered, and detached decks that fit certain criteria.
Decks Below Height and Size Limits
You can skip the deck permit if your deck is uncovered and 600mm (about 2 feet) or less above the original ground. That’s measured from the lowest point around the deck.
The deck has to stay uncovered. Add a roof later and you’ll need a permit.
Measure from the original grade before you start building. If your yard slopes, always use the lowest spot.
But just because you don’t need a permit for height doesn’t mean you can ignore setbacks or other bylaws.
Detached and Ground-Level Deck Guidelines
Detached decks give you more wiggle room. If the deck isn’t attached to your house, the city usually gives you fewer headaches.
Ground-level detached decks often fall outside permit rules. Still, you have to keep the right distance from property lines and any utility easements.
Key requirements for detached decks:
- At least 3.0 metres from the rear lot line
- No closer to side lot lines than your main building
- Floor can’t be higher than your home’s ground floor level
It’s smart to double-check with Markham’s Building Standards Department before you start building. Bylaws change, and sometimes your property has weird restrictions.
Key Requirements for Getting a Deck Permit Approved Fast
If you want your deck permit fast, you need complete documents, avoid common mistakes, and know what the city looks for. Some applications get approved in weeks, others drag on for months—usually because of avoidable errors.
Essential Documents and Drawings
Your permit application needs solid construction drawings showing exactly what you’re planning. Always include a site plan marking the deck’s location, property lines, setbacks, and nearby structures.
Your drawings should show:
- Foundation and footing details
- Joist spacing and beam sizes
- Railing heights and guardrail info
- How you’ll connect the deck to the house
Show that you meet Ontario Building Code standards: proper joist spacing, footings deep enough for local soil, and correct railing specs.
Fill out the building permit form with accurate property info. Attach proof you own the place and a current survey if you have one.
If you can, get professional drawings from a designer or engineer. Reviewers usually move faster on clear, pro-level plans.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
If you skip the setback info, your application will hit a wall. Decks must meet minimum distances from property lines, and these can change depending on your address.
Leave out structural details? That’s another quick way to stall. The city wants to see beam sizes, joist spacing, and foundation specs. Don’t just hand in a sketch.
Pick the wrong permit type and you’ll lose time. Some ground-level decks don’t need a permit, but anything elevated or attached does.
Pay the wrong fee and your application sits in limbo. Double-check the latest permit fees on Markham’s website.
A lot of people forget the Ontario Building Code rules for railings. Guards have to be 1070mm high, and baluster spacing is strict.
How to Upspeed the Approval Process
Send in your application early in the week—not on Fridays. Staff usually have more time to review at the start of their week.
Add a cover letter pointing out how your project meets the big code requirements. Reviewers appreciate it.
Reply right away if the city asks for more info. Every day you wait is another day added to your timeline.
For tricky projects, consider hiring a pro. Engineers and designers know exactly what Markham expects.
If you can, book a pre-application meeting. Sometimes the city offers consultations to spot issues before you even apply.
Pay your fees correctly. Electronic payments usually move faster than cheques.
Understanding Ontario Building Code and Local Building Codes
The Ontario Building Code lays out the basics for deck construction, and Markham piles on its own bylaws. These rules cover everything from footing depth to railing spacing.
Structural Standards for Decks
The Ontario Building Code sets specific structural standards to make sure your deck can handle the load—both the deck itself and people using it. Homeowners often underestimate these, but they’re there for a reason.
Foundation requirements mean footings have to go below the frost line, which is about 1.2 metres deep around Markham. Concrete footings need to be sized for your deck’s weight.
Framing specs:
- Joist spacing maxes out at 400mm on center for most homes
- Beam spans have to follow the code’s span tables
- Post spacing depends on your beam size, but usually falls between 1.8 and 2.4 metres
Material rules: Use pressure-treated lumber for anything touching concrete or close to the ground. Galvanized or stainless fasteners are a good idea to avoid rust.
You need to account for live loads of 1.9 kPa for residential decks. That covers people, furniture, and snow in winter.
Safety Features: Railings, Stairs, and Materials
Safety is where the Ontario Building Code gets really picky—and honestly, it’s for the best.
Railing rules:
- Required for decks 600mm (24 inches) or higher
- Minimum height is 900mm for decks up to 1.8 metres
- Minimum height bumps to 1070mm for anything taller
- Balusters can’t be more than 100mm apart
Stairs need risers between 125mm and 200mm high, and treads at least 280mm deep. If you have more than three risers, you need a handrail.
Approved materials: Pressure-treated lumber, cedar, composite (if it meets CSA standards), or engineered wood with the right certifications. Always check for proper stamps before you build.
Fastener requirements change based on load and exposure, so pay attention to those details.
Zoning By-Laws, Lot Coverage, and Setback Rules in Markham
Markham’s zoning bylaws set the rules for how far your deck needs to be from property lines and how much of your lot you can cover. These directly affect where you can build and how big you can go.
Property Line and Setback Requirements
Setback requirements in Markham vary by zoning. The minimum front yard setback is usually six metres, and other lot lines need at least 5.5 metres.
Measure setbacks from the closest property line to any part of your deck—including railings, steps, and pergolas.
For deck projects:
- Attached decks need the same setbacks as your house
- Freestanding decks might have different requirements
- Corner lots can get more complicated
If your lot is oddly shaped, you have to get creative to stay within the rules. Measure from the shortest distance to any lot line to keep inspectors happy.
Elevated decks over 0.6 metres high usually have to meet full building setback rules. Lower decks sometimes get more leeway, but always check the latest bylaws.
Lot Coverage and Outdoor Living Space Considerations
Lot coverage rules limit how much of your property can have buildings or structures. Most residential zones in Markham allow 35-40% lot coverage, including your house, garage, and deck.
Calculate your current coverage before you design your new outdoor space. Saves a lot of headaches later.
Structures that count toward lot coverage:
- Covered decks and gazebos
- Big pergolas with solid roofs
- Sheds and outbuildings
Open decks without a roof usually don’t count toward the coverage limit. That’s a great way to maximize your outdoor space without breaking the rules.
Starting with an open deck and adding partial cover later (if your lot coverage allows) gives you more options and keeps you within the rules.
Step-by-Step Deck Permit Application Process in Markham
The permit process takes detailed paperwork, a few inspections, and some back-and-forth with building officials. If you work with pros, you can move things along faster and avoid compliance headaches with Markham’s bylaws.
Preparing Your Permit Application
Start by gathering everything Markham’s building department wants. You’ll need construction drawings showing deck size, materials, and all the structural details.
Drawings have to clearly show setback distances from property lines. Markham wants decks at least 3.0 metres from the rear lot line and no closer to the side lot lines than your house.
What you need:
- Site plan with deck location
- Structural drawings (beam and joist specs)
- Material and fastener details
- Proof your design fits zoning rules
- Application form and all fees
Double-check that your deck height doesn’t go above your home’s ground floor level. Missing this can slow things down.
Application fees change depending on deck size and complexity. It’s worth calling ahead to confirm the latest fees and processing times.
Booking and Passing Inspections
Building a deck means scheduling several inspections as you go. We handle the coordination so your project doesn’t get stuck waiting.
The first inspection comes right after we put in the footings and framework but before laying down any deck boards. The inspector checks that everything’s sturdy and up to code.
Typical Inspection Schedule:
- Footing inspection – Before pouring concrete
- Framing inspection – After joists and beams go in
- Final inspection – When the finished deck and railings are complete
We call in inspections at least a day ahead through Markham’s building department. If something doesn’t pass, we make the fixes and book another visit, which can slow things down.
Since we’ve done this a lot, we usually know what will raise an inspector’s eyebrow and can deal with it before it becomes a headache. We also snap photos at each step for our records.
Working with Deck Building Professionals
We take care of the permit process from start to finish, so you don’t have to deal with Markham’s building department yourself. Knowing the local rules inside out helps us get approvals moving faster.
Professional builders keep up good relationships with building officials and get what they’re looking for. We pay attention to the details that matter most during inspections.
Benefits of Professional Support:
- Accurate drawings that actually meet code
- Faster approvals thanks to thorough paperwork
- Inspection scheduling so there aren’t unnecessary holdups
- Code compliance advice from experience
If your project changes along the way, we handle permit updates too. That way, work doesn’t get shut down and everything stays above board.
When you go with licensed pros, your permit application usually goes through right the first time. We’ve watched plenty of DIY applications get bounced for small mistakes or missing info.
Frequently Asked Questions
Markham homeowners ask about deck permits all the time. The process brings up questions about paperwork, timing, inspections, and zoning—things that can really affect your project and budget.
What specific documents do I need to submit for a deck permit in Markham?
We always tell clients to pull together a solid package before heading to the Building Standards Department. You’ll want detailed drawings with measurements, materials, and how the deck will be built. Include a site plan showing where the deck sits compared to property lines and any buildings.
If your deck is elevated, you’ll probably need a professional engineer’s structural calculations. We usually add foundation details, beam specs, and load numbers to the submission.
A property survey helps with setback requirements and zoning. Don’t forget the application forms and proof you own the property.
How long does the Markham building department typically take to approve a deck permit?
Usually, approval takes anywhere from 15 to 30 business days if your application is complete. Sometimes, simple decks get the green light in as little as two weeks when all the paperwork is in order.
If your design is complicated or needs extra review, expect it to take longer. Missing info or sloppy drawings can drag things out by weeks.
We suggest applying well ahead of when you want to start building. Unfortunately, there’s no rush option for residential deck permits in Markham.
Could you walk me through the inspection process for my new deck construction in Markham?
You’ll need several inspections as you build. The first comes after digging footings but before pouring concrete.
Framing inspection happens after the main structure goes up, but before you install decking. The inspector checks beams, joists, and hardware.
The last inspection covers finished railings, stairs, and overall code compliance. We book each inspection a day in advance and make sure everything’s ready for the inspector.
Are there any unique zoning considerations I should be aware of when planning a deck in Markham?
Markham’s zoning bylaws set minimum distances from property lines, and these can change depending on your neighbourhood. Most homes need at least a 1.2-metre setback from side yards and 7.5 metres from the front.
There are also height limits for both the deck and the railings. If your deck is high enough, you might need privacy screens for your neighbours’ sake.
Corner lots are trickier because of extra street frontages. We always double-check the zoning for your address before finalizing plans.
In Markham, is a permit required for renovating an existing deck, or just for new constructions?
Big renovations usually need permits, just like building from scratch. If you’re swapping out structural parts, changing the deck’s size, or altering supports, you’ll need approval.
If you’re just replacing boards or doing some refinishing, you don’t need a permit. But if you’re changing railings or stairs, you’ll probably need one.
When the work goes beyond basic maintenance, it’s smart to check with the Building Standards Department. Better to ask first than deal with problems later.
Can you break down the fees associated with getting a deck permit in the City of Markham?
Markham figures out permit fees based on how complex your project is and what it’ll cost to build. For a basic deck, you’re usually looking at anywhere from $200 to $600, but that number can climb depending on the size and design.
You’ll also see extra charges for things like plan reviews, inspections, and admin work. If your deck needs an engineering review—say, for tricky structural stuff—that bumps up the price too.
We always include permit costs in our project estimates right from the start. Getting the right permits upfront helps protect your investment and keeps everything up to code.