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Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2024-19

On January 31, 2024, Markham Council enacted By-law 2024-19.

By-law 2024-19 has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). Until such time as when the By-law has been approved, all existing zoning by-laws that were in force prior to Council enactment, remain in force. However, once approved, the provisions of 2024-19 would be in effect and retroactive to January 31, 2024. Only modifications (if any) by the OLT would have a different effective date.

The OLT can change standards in the By-law as deemed appropriate.

Any building permit applied for after January 31, 2024, would need to comply with both the in-force zoning by-laws and 2024-19, until such time as a decision on By-law 2024-19 has been rendered by the OLT.

Section 1.7 of By-law 2024-19, outlines transitional clauses and provisions relating to applications in process.

Here is the link to the comprehensive version of By-law 2024-19.

For the full signed version of By-law 2024-19, please click *here.

*This is a large file and will take several minutes to upload on standard browsers.

Here is the link to the Interactive Zoning Map. *

* The above link has been updated as of June 21, 2024. Please replace any previous links stored in your saved browser with the one above.

Please note that any lands that are greyed out on the attached map, are not subject to By-law 2024-19. In these instances, the zoning by-laws that were in effect prior to January 31, 2024, would remain in full force and effect.

Background

The City of Markham has undertaken a comprehensive review of its Zoning By-laws and existing zoning framework.

Markham has 46 different ‘parent’ Zoning By-laws applying to different geographic areas of the City. These parent Zoning By-laws were enacted between 1954 and 2004. The City’s By-laws require updating to be consistent with the City’s 2014 Official Plan, the Regional Municipality of York’s Official Plan, Provincial plans and policies, and the Planning Act.


The zoning of the lands within the City also needed to be reviewed and updated due to their age, and numerous inconsistencies relating to definitions, permitted uses and development standards. In addition, the large number of amendments and minor variances that have been approved over time to facilitate development have created a multitude of site-specific standards that warranted review.

January 31, 2024 - Council Meeting

Staff submitted its recommendations to Council on January 31, 2024. Staff's Memorandum, By-law and Schedules contained several additional modifications stemming from input received at the Development Services Committee Meeting held on January 16, 2024.

Council enacted By-law 2024-19 on this day. The statutory appeal period expires on February 29, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

Please click here to access the Council Agenda which contains the By-law and Schedules.

Click here to view the Interactive Zoning Map

Project Update January 16, 2024

Staff will be submitting its recommendations to the Development Services Committee on January 16, 2024. Staff's Recommendation Report, Presentation, By-law and Schedules are included in the report package which contains several additional modifications stemming from input received at the September Statutory Public Meeting and, other modifications and additions stemming from meetings with interested parties.

Please click here to access the Development Services Committee Agenda (Item 7.2) package.

Request to Speak:

Members of the public who wish to make a deputation, please register prior to the start of the meeting by:

  • Completing an online Request to Speak Form or
  • E-mail clerkspublic@markham.ca providing full name, contact information and item they wish to speak or
  • If you do not have access to email, contact the Clerk's office at 905.479.7760 on the day of the meeting.
  • If Council or Committee has finished debate at the meeting on the item, you may email your written submission directly to Members of Council.

Past Meetings

Development Service Committee Statutory Public Meeting - September 18, 2023 - 7:00 PM

A Statutory Public Meeting was held on September 18, 2023 to provide opportunities for the public to comment on the draft Comprehensive Zoning By-law that was received by the Development Services Committee on June 26, 2023 (See Item 9.2 below).

Development Service Committee Meeting - June 26, 2023

Stemming from the discussion at the June 12, 2023 meeting, Staff provided an update on matters raised and key revisions to the Draft By-law. Staff recommended that a further Statutory Public Meeting be held in September 2023 to receive additional public input. The revised Draft By-law and Schedules are included in the June 26, 2023 package to the Development Services Committee. The link to the package is found below:

Item 9.2 - Comprehensive Zoning By-law Project

Please be advised that the online mapping is not available. Staff are continuing to work with its consultant on this component of the Draft By-law.

Special Development Services Committee Meeting - June 12, 2023

Staff submitted its recommendations to the DSC which were be presented on June 12, 2023. The revised By-law was also included in the report package which contained several additional modifications stemming from the input at the open houses, DSC Workshop, Statutory Public Meeting and, the Heritage Markham Committee Meeting. Staffs Recommendation Report, Draft Zoning By-law and Schedules can be found here:

Comprehensive Zoning By-law Project - June 12, 2023

Statutory Public Meeting - May 9, 2023

The Statutory Public Meeting was held on May 9, 2023 to provide opportunities for the public to provide their comments on the draft Comprehensive Zoning By-law. The meeting provided Staff with additional insight, input, and suggested modifications for consideration.

The By-law and City wide concession Map that were included in the May 9th meeting are shown below*:

* NOTE: The mapping contained below was accurate as of May 9, 2023 and have been modified since the Public Meeting.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law

City Wide Concession Map

To view individual zoning maps:

A6 A7 B6 B7 C2/1 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 D2/1 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 E2/1 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 F2/1 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7

G2/1 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 H2/1 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 J2/1 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 K2/1 K3 K4 K5 K/L6 K/L7

NOTE: Where a zone designation is followed by an (H1 - Holding) and/or an (ORM - Oak Ridges Moraine) code, it means that the property contains provisions from multiple sections of the By-law. The viewer should review the applicable H1 and/or ORM sections to determine permitted uses and development standards.

NOTE: Areas not covered by this By-law - Zoning Bylaw Amendments enacted after June 12, 2014 and Section 9 Lands under the 2014 Official Plan will not be included in this Zoning By-law. The applicable Parent Zoning By-laws in these areas will remain in effect.

All meetings are video and audio streamed on the City’s website at: Streaming Link

Members of the public who wish to speak at the Public Meeting through a deputation may do so by:

• completing the Request to Speak form at Request to Speak

OR
• emailing the Clerk’s Office at notifications@markham.ca

OR
• calling 905.479.7760 prior to the meeting

DSC Workshop

The Development Services Committee held a workshop for members of Council and members of the public on December 13, 2021. The DSC workshop provided an opportunity for Committee members to further discuss various provisions and standards of the proposed by-law.

To access the audio/video of this meeting, please click here: December 13, 2021 DSC Workshop (Note that the Workshop begins at 57 minutes and 25 seconds into the video)

Draft By-law and Open Houses

An Information Report, Draft Zoning By-law and Presentation was included on the June 7, 2021 agenda of the Development Services Committee (DSC).

The report indicated that staff would host three (3) non-statutory Public Open Houses/Community Information Meetings throughout July 2021. These meetings were held virtually via zoom video conference. The intent of these meetings was to provide additional information and field questions from the public.

The dates and themes of these meetings were as follows:

Meetings #1 and #2 (Residential Areas) - Tuesday July 20, 2021

Session 1 - 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Session 2 - 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Meeting #3 (Mixed Use, Employment and Other Non-Residential Areas) - Thursday July 22, 2021

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Meeting #4 (Residential and General Interest) - Tuesday July 27, 2021

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Each meeting was recorded for future reference and, or, to give anyone who could not attend any of the meetings an opportunity to review the presentation and listen in on what was discussed.

To access the audio/video of all of the meetings and meeting chat boxes, please click here: July 2021 Open Houses All Sessions

Follow-up Scoped Meetings

The feedback Staff and its consultant received from the open houses resulted in further review and modifications to several areas of the By-law. In order to further explore alternative options, Staff held scoped meetings with representatives of several residential ratepayer's associations.

In addition, Staff met with several developers and architects with experience in building in Markham's established areas of the City in order to get a better understanding of the emerging development trends in the residential building sector and current challenges that these groups face.

Recommendation Report

Staff will provide a recommended by-law to DSC for their consideration, who may then forward the draft by-law with any proposed amendments to Council for adoption.

Heritage Conservation District – Lands located within Heritage Conservation Districts may be subject to further standards.

Parkway Belt West – Lands subject to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Parkway Belt Zoning Provisions. The Provincial zoning standards supersede Municipal zoning regulations.

Draft Zoning – Proposed zoning for applicable parcels. Zoning has been applied based on a number of proposed zones within the by-law, and are subject to change based on changes to policy. If you have concerns about the stated zoning on your property, please contact us at: notifications@markham.ca

How Can I Get Involved?

This is YOUR Comprehensive Zoning By-law. We want to hear from you to make sure the new By-law reflects the needs and ideas of the people who live, work, shop and play in Markham.

You can also sign-up to receive email updates about this project and upcoming events by subscribing via the STAY INFORMED box in the top right corner of this page.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2024-19

On January 31, 2024, Markham Council enacted By-law 2024-19.

By-law 2024-19 has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). Until such time as when the By-law has been approved, all existing zoning by-laws that were in force prior to Council enactment, remain in force. However, once approved, the provisions of 2024-19 would be in effect and retroactive to January 31, 2024. Only modifications (if any) by the OLT would have a different effective date.

The OLT can change standards in the By-law as deemed appropriate.

Any building permit applied for after January 31, 2024, would need to comply with both the in-force zoning by-laws and 2024-19, until such time as a decision on By-law 2024-19 has been rendered by the OLT.

Section 1.7 of By-law 2024-19, outlines transitional clauses and provisions relating to applications in process.

Here is the link to the comprehensive version of By-law 2024-19.

For the full signed version of By-law 2024-19, please click *here.

*This is a large file and will take several minutes to upload on standard browsers.

Here is the link to the Interactive Zoning Map. *

* The above link has been updated as of June 21, 2024. Please replace any previous links stored in your saved browser with the one above.

Please note that any lands that are greyed out on the attached map, are not subject to By-law 2024-19. In these instances, the zoning by-laws that were in effect prior to January 31, 2024, would remain in full force and effect.

Background

The City of Markham has undertaken a comprehensive review of its Zoning By-laws and existing zoning framework.

Markham has 46 different ‘parent’ Zoning By-laws applying to different geographic areas of the City. These parent Zoning By-laws were enacted between 1954 and 2004. The City’s By-laws require updating to be consistent with the City’s 2014 Official Plan, the Regional Municipality of York’s Official Plan, Provincial plans and policies, and the Planning Act.


The zoning of the lands within the City also needed to be reviewed and updated due to their age, and numerous inconsistencies relating to definitions, permitted uses and development standards. In addition, the large number of amendments and minor variances that have been approved over time to facilitate development have created a multitude of site-specific standards that warranted review.

January 31, 2024 - Council Meeting

Staff submitted its recommendations to Council on January 31, 2024. Staff's Memorandum, By-law and Schedules contained several additional modifications stemming from input received at the Development Services Committee Meeting held on January 16, 2024.

Council enacted By-law 2024-19 on this day. The statutory appeal period expires on February 29, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

Please click here to access the Council Agenda which contains the By-law and Schedules.

Click here to view the Interactive Zoning Map

Project Update January 16, 2024

Staff will be submitting its recommendations to the Development Services Committee on January 16, 2024. Staff's Recommendation Report, Presentation, By-law and Schedules are included in the report package which contains several additional modifications stemming from input received at the September Statutory Public Meeting and, other modifications and additions stemming from meetings with interested parties.

Please click here to access the Development Services Committee Agenda (Item 7.2) package.

Request to Speak:

Members of the public who wish to make a deputation, please register prior to the start of the meeting by:

  • Completing an online Request to Speak Form or
  • E-mail clerkspublic@markham.ca providing full name, contact information and item they wish to speak or
  • If you do not have access to email, contact the Clerk's office at 905.479.7760 on the day of the meeting.
  • If Council or Committee has finished debate at the meeting on the item, you may email your written submission directly to Members of Council.

Past Meetings

Development Service Committee Statutory Public Meeting - September 18, 2023 - 7:00 PM

A Statutory Public Meeting was held on September 18, 2023 to provide opportunities for the public to comment on the draft Comprehensive Zoning By-law that was received by the Development Services Committee on June 26, 2023 (See Item 9.2 below).

Development Service Committee Meeting - June 26, 2023

Stemming from the discussion at the June 12, 2023 meeting, Staff provided an update on matters raised and key revisions to the Draft By-law. Staff recommended that a further Statutory Public Meeting be held in September 2023 to receive additional public input. The revised Draft By-law and Schedules are included in the June 26, 2023 package to the Development Services Committee. The link to the package is found below:

Item 9.2 - Comprehensive Zoning By-law Project

Please be advised that the online mapping is not available. Staff are continuing to work with its consultant on this component of the Draft By-law.

Special Development Services Committee Meeting - June 12, 2023

Staff submitted its recommendations to the DSC which were be presented on June 12, 2023. The revised By-law was also included in the report package which contained several additional modifications stemming from the input at the open houses, DSC Workshop, Statutory Public Meeting and, the Heritage Markham Committee Meeting. Staffs Recommendation Report, Draft Zoning By-law and Schedules can be found here:

Comprehensive Zoning By-law Project - June 12, 2023

Statutory Public Meeting - May 9, 2023

The Statutory Public Meeting was held on May 9, 2023 to provide opportunities for the public to provide their comments on the draft Comprehensive Zoning By-law. The meeting provided Staff with additional insight, input, and suggested modifications for consideration.

The By-law and City wide concession Map that were included in the May 9th meeting are shown below*:

* NOTE: The mapping contained below was accurate as of May 9, 2023 and have been modified since the Public Meeting.

Comprehensive Zoning By-law

City Wide Concession Map

To view individual zoning maps:

A6 A7 B6 B7 C2/1 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 D2/1 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 E2/1 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 F2/1 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7

G2/1 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 H2/1 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 J2/1 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 K2/1 K3 K4 K5 K/L6 K/L7

NOTE: Where a zone designation is followed by an (H1 - Holding) and/or an (ORM - Oak Ridges Moraine) code, it means that the property contains provisions from multiple sections of the By-law. The viewer should review the applicable H1 and/or ORM sections to determine permitted uses and development standards.

NOTE: Areas not covered by this By-law - Zoning Bylaw Amendments enacted after June 12, 2014 and Section 9 Lands under the 2014 Official Plan will not be included in this Zoning By-law. The applicable Parent Zoning By-laws in these areas will remain in effect.

All meetings are video and audio streamed on the City’s website at: Streaming Link

Members of the public who wish to speak at the Public Meeting through a deputation may do so by:

• completing the Request to Speak form at Request to Speak

OR
• emailing the Clerk’s Office at notifications@markham.ca

OR
• calling 905.479.7760 prior to the meeting

DSC Workshop

The Development Services Committee held a workshop for members of Council and members of the public on December 13, 2021. The DSC workshop provided an opportunity for Committee members to further discuss various provisions and standards of the proposed by-law.

To access the audio/video of this meeting, please click here: December 13, 2021 DSC Workshop (Note that the Workshop begins at 57 minutes and 25 seconds into the video)

Draft By-law and Open Houses

An Information Report, Draft Zoning By-law and Presentation was included on the June 7, 2021 agenda of the Development Services Committee (DSC).

The report indicated that staff would host three (3) non-statutory Public Open Houses/Community Information Meetings throughout July 2021. These meetings were held virtually via zoom video conference. The intent of these meetings was to provide additional information and field questions from the public.

The dates and themes of these meetings were as follows:

Meetings #1 and #2 (Residential Areas) - Tuesday July 20, 2021

Session 1 - 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Session 2 - 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Meeting #3 (Mixed Use, Employment and Other Non-Residential Areas) - Thursday July 22, 2021

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Meeting #4 (Residential and General Interest) - Tuesday July 27, 2021

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Each meeting was recorded for future reference and, or, to give anyone who could not attend any of the meetings an opportunity to review the presentation and listen in on what was discussed.

To access the audio/video of all of the meetings and meeting chat boxes, please click here: July 2021 Open Houses All Sessions

Follow-up Scoped Meetings

The feedback Staff and its consultant received from the open houses resulted in further review and modifications to several areas of the By-law. In order to further explore alternative options, Staff held scoped meetings with representatives of several residential ratepayer's associations.

In addition, Staff met with several developers and architects with experience in building in Markham's established areas of the City in order to get a better understanding of the emerging development trends in the residential building sector and current challenges that these groups face.

Recommendation Report

Staff will provide a recommended by-law to DSC for their consideration, who may then forward the draft by-law with any proposed amendments to Council for adoption.

Heritage Conservation District – Lands located within Heritage Conservation Districts may be subject to further standards.

Parkway Belt West – Lands subject to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Parkway Belt Zoning Provisions. The Provincial zoning standards supersede Municipal zoning regulations.

Draft Zoning – Proposed zoning for applicable parcels. Zoning has been applied based on a number of proposed zones within the by-law, and are subject to change based on changes to policy. If you have concerns about the stated zoning on your property, please contact us at: notifications@markham.ca

How Can I Get Involved?

This is YOUR Comprehensive Zoning By-law. We want to hear from you to make sure the new By-law reflects the needs and ideas of the people who live, work, shop and play in Markham.

You can also sign-up to receive email updates about this project and upcoming events by subscribing via the STAY INFORMED box in the top right corner of this page.

Page last updated: 21 Jun 2024, 03:40 PM