Road Permit
The City of Markham makes it easy to apply for a road permit.
You’ll need a road permit if you want to make changes to a curb, use a commercial vehicle on certain roads, or use a road for a special event. Browse the sections below to learn more!
- Culvert Modification Permit
You need a permit to modify a culvert near your property. As per City By-law 2018-109 (Road Occupancy By-law), you may not modify a culvert on your own without a Culvert Modification Permit. Culverts are City of Markham property, please contact the Operations Department if you want to add, replace, or change a culvert pipe.
Culverts are pipes that let storm water flow under driveway entrances. They are used on roads where there are no storm sewers. On these roads, the road edge is lined with a ditch.
Once the Culvert Modification Permit Application is processed by the Operations Department, the applicant will be contacted for confirmation of the proposed changes and for invoice payment. After the permit is issued, the applicant will complete the installation / replacement / repair of the culvert at their own cost. The City will require an inspection of the site prior to backfill of the culvert.
To apply for a permit, please complete the form below and include all relevant photos and drawings. You can also E-mail customerservice@markham.ca with any questions. Please put Culvert Modification in the subject line of the email. It takes around 10 business days to process this application.
- Curb Modification Permit
You will need a permit to make changes to a curb near your property. . As per City By-law 2018-109 (Road Occupancy By-law), you may not modify a curb on your own without a Curb Modification Permit. Curbs are City of Markham property, please contact the Operations Department if you want to widen, create, or replace a curb.
Curbs are concrete barriers that demarcate the edges of urban roads. A “curb cut” is the part of the curb that is lower, or depressed. Curb cuts make it easier for cars to cross a curb, such as into a driveway.
Once the Curb Modification Permit Application is processed by the Operations Department, the applicant will be contacted for confirmation of the proposed changes and for invoice payment. After the permit is issued, a city contractor will conduct the modifications.
To apply for a permit, please fill out the online form below and include all relevant photos and drawings. You can also e-mail ocustomerservice@markham.ca with any questions. Please put Curb Modification in the subject line of the e-mail. It takes around 10 business days to process this application.
- Excess Load Permit
The City of Markham has rules around the size and weight and size of commercial vehicles. If your vehicle is bigger than the allowable weight or size for a Markham road, you can request a permit. There are three sets of rules, listed below and shown on this map:
Year-Round Load Restrictions, By-Law 2012-54
Low-volume rural roads that have not been upgraded to modern road standards are posted as “half load roads.” On these roads, you can only have loads of 5 tonnes per axle.
Spring Load Restrictions, By-Law 2012-53
For roads not listed in By-law 2012-53, your load must weigh 5 tonnes per axle or less between March 1 and April 30. The Director of Operations can also add other restrictions. The City doesn’t usually allow vehicles to request a change to rules during Spring Load Restrictions.
Other Roads and Times of Year
Roads not subjected to Year-Round or Spring Load restrictions follow the weights and size restrictions listed in the Highway Traffic Act.
To apply for a permit, please fill out the online form below and include a route map and a certificate of insurance naming Markham as the certificate holder / additional insured. You can also e-mail customerservice@markham.ca with any questions. Please put Excess Load in the subject line of the e-mail. It takes around 10 business days to process this application.
Excess Load Permit Application.
- Municipal Consent (MC) Application
The Municipal Consent application is for Utility Use Only and is to be submitted by utilities or their contractors for work within the City of Markham Right of Way.
If work is not for utilities, please submit a Road Occupancy Permit application here to the City of Markham Operations Department.
Please note this form is for submitting new Municipal Consent Applications. If you are resubmitting a previously submitted application or As Constructed plans please email to utilities@markham.ca.
Standard response times are:
- Level 1 to 5 Working days,
- Level 2 to10 Working days,
- Level 3 to 15 Working Days.
Should you require assistance with your submission, please contact the City of Markham’s Utility Team at utilities@markham.ca.
To apply, please fill out the Municipal Consent Application.
- Road Occupancy Permit
You need a permit to have any activity that might block a public road allowance. As per City By-law 2018-109 (Road Occupancy By-law), you may not occupy the road with the following activities without a Road Occupancy Permit. You'll need a permit if your work will:
- Restrict road access
- Disrupt vehicle or pedestrian traffic flow
- Put materials of any kind on the road
- Place a moving container or disposal bin on the road
- Store construction or landscaping materials beyond private property
- Cross the boulevard to gain site access where there is no depressed curb or paved driveway
- Involve workers on the road
- Obstruct the sidewalk with workers or equipment.
Public roads are shared spaces. People need to use our roads and arrive at their homes or places of work easily. A permit lets the City:
- Make sure a disturbance is necessary
- Ensure the road is used in a safe way
- Coordinate activities to reduce public impact
- Ensure City property is protected from damages
To apply for a permit, please fill out the Road Occupancy Permit Application form online and include a traffic control plan (OTM Book 7), a certificate of insurance naming Markham as the certificate holder / additional insured, and approved plans/drawings. Please submit any questions to ROW@markham.ca. It takes around 10 business days to process this application.
- Road Closuire Permit
You need an additional permit if you're to have any activity that will completely close off a section of roadway. As per City By-law 2018-109 (Road Occupancy By-law) states that you may not close the road without a Road Closure Permit on top of an existing Road Occupancy Permit. You will need a Road Closure Permit if your activity cannot maintain at least one 3.5 metres wide lane (either direction) at all times.
To apply for a permit, please fill out the Road Occupancy Permit Application form online and indicate the times/duration of the closure. Please submit any questions to ROW@markham.ca.
Road Closure applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks in advance. This is required in order to allow adequate time for external approvals, and to provide advance notice to the public (minimum 2 weeks).