Markham Sustainability Metrics Program

Overview of Sustainability Metrics for Complete Application Requirements

The Sustainability Metrics Program is the City of Markham’s green development standard, which evaluates and scores the sustainability performance of new development. The Program is a point-based system, with each metric worth a certain number of points. This encourages developers and builders, with support from City staff, to achieve complete communities.

In May 2022, Markham Council endorsed the recommendation that Plans of Subdivision and Site Plan applications must achieve a minimum sustainability score calculated using the Sustainability Metrics. This supports the City’s Strategic Plan, Building Markham's Future Together.

The Sustainability Metrics Program is a collaboration between the Cities of Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill, and Vaughan.

Relevant Documents/Materials (Launch Date: July 1^st, 2023):

(Click to view) TABLE — Sustainability score thresholds to achieve using the Sustainability Metrics scoring tool (Sustainability Assessment Tool).

Performance Level	Draft Plans of Subdivision	Site Plans	Site Plans (for medium and high density residential and mixed use) *
Bronze	27-40	41-61	55-81
Silver	41-49	62-75	82-101
Gold	50+	75+	102+

* A minimum sustainability score of 55 replaces the LEED Silver requirement for medium and high density residential and mixed use developments

Sustainability Assessment Tool Scoring Tool - Site Plan (Excel)

Sustainability Assessment Tool Scoring Tool - Draft Plan of Subdivision (Excel)

Sustainability Metrics Program Guidebook

Sustainability Metrics Program Guide & Checklist

Required Sustainability Scores

Markham Council endorsed the performance levels shown in the Table above and the following minimum (i.e. Bronze level) sustainability scores:

27 for Draft Plans of Subdivision
41 for Site Plans
55 for Site Plans for medium and high density residential and mixed use developments, replacing the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver requirement approved by Council in 2008

Sustainability Assessment Tool

The Sustainability Assessment Tool is an Excel-based scoring tool that applicants download and fill out for the selected metrics. Points earned go towards the minimum sustainability score that development proposals are required to achieve.

Following further consultation with building and land development stakeholders, the Sustainability Assessment Tool is available and identifies the performance indicators or "metrics" available for Site Plan Control applications or Draft Plan of Subdivision applications, and available for download on this webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What type of applications are required to submit a sustainability score using the Sustainability Assessment Tool (Excel tool)?

Draft Plans of Subdivisions of 10 residential units or more
Site Plan Control Applications
Zoning By-law Amendments to facilitate the above
- The application of the Sustainability Metrics for Zoning By-law Amendments is determined at the Pre-Consultation meeting based on the level of detail that is provided for the application
- For Zoning By-law amendments, the Sustainability Score is based on preliminary information available at this planning stage. The Score is then refined when more details become available as part of the Draft Plan of Subdivision or Site Plan application for the property

2. Are there Plan of Subdivision or Site Plan applications where the Sustainability Metrics is not required?

Draft Plans of Subdivision of 9 residential units or less
Part 4 of the Site Plan Control By-law 262-94 identifies developments that are exempt from Site Plan Control
Draft Plans of Subdivision to subdivide large blocks of land for the sole purpose of creating lots for future employment, industrial, commercial, or institutional development, and which will require subsequent Site Plan approval

3. Where can I find the Sustainability Assessment Tool (Excel tool)?

The Excel-based scoring tool is available on this web page. The current version is a draft that will be finalized following further consultation with building and land development stakeholders. This web page will be updated accordingly.

4. What is the required minimum sustainability score?

See the TABLE for Markham’s sustainability scores and performance levels at the top of the page for the minimum sustainability scores for Plan of Subdivision or Site Plan applications.

5. What if a particular metric or indicator is not applicable for my site?

Metrics such as preserving healthy trees (NE-1) or cultural heritage conservation (BE-5) may not be available for an applicant if the resource is not on the site. The analysis to arrive at the required minimum (Bronze level) sustainability score has taken this into consideration among the available points so that an applicant is not penalized should the resources not exist on the site or the Metric is not relevant to the application.

6. Is there a minimum energy performance for buildings?

Markham Council endorsed the recommendation in the May 2022 Recommendation Report for a pathway to net zero energy buildings by 2030. This involves energy performance steps above the Ontario Building Code (OBC). City staff will provide a recommendation to Markham Council later in 2023 to initiate the first energy performance step above the OBC along the net zero energy pathway.

7. Are there incentives to achieve a sustainability score above the Markham Council endorsed minimum?

There are no incentives (financial or non-financial) at this time to achieve ‘Silver’ or ‘Gold’ sustainability scores. The City will evaluate incentives in late 2023 and into 2024.

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