The following is a brief and legal summary of the City of Markham's Extended Driveways By-law taken from the City's By-law Guide for Markham Homeowners.
It explains, in plain language and with information links, what residents must know about specific City services and operations, which may affect a Markham homeowners' property.
The Extended Driveways By-law 2006-96 applies to all driveways in the City of Markham. It controls the extent to which driveways may be widened, in order to maintain the beauty and value of our neighbourhoods while satisfying homeowners’ increasing need for more parking on their properties.
In most cases, the by-law allows for parking two cars (or vans or non-commercial trucks) in front of a single-car garage, and three cars in front of a two-car garage. Widening your driveway to accommodate this is allowed, up to a point. The guidelines outlined are aimed at preserving the beauty of Markham’s residential neighbourhoods and prevent the excessive paving of properties, which may:
If your home is on a smaller lot, less than 10.1 metres (33’ - 4”) across, a driveway extension must preserve 25% of the original landscaping (such as grass, gardens, walking paths and bushes) across the front of your property. If your home is on a larger lot, more than 10.1 metres (33’ - 4”) across, a driveway extension must preserve 40% of this landscaping.
You can estimate the maximum width of your proposed extension by measuring the width of the existing garage door, or doors. This width is measured across the face of all garage doors and includes any middle brickwork. In most cases, you can extend your driveway up to 2 metres (6’ - 6”) in width beyond this measurement. If you are planning a driveway expansion, you may wish to contact the By-law Enforcement & Licensing Department: 905-479-7782, for information and guidelines before starting work.
A permit is not required to extend your driveway;
In addition, cars must be parked on a driveway (or a hard-surface parking pad) facing the home or the street. Parking of one car across the boulevard (the end of your property between the sidewalk and the street, which is owned by the City) is permitted.
All driveways must comply with the City’s Extended Driveways By-Law, but there are some exceptions. If you are not certain that your present or planned driveway meets these general guidelines, please call the By-law Enforcement & Licensing Department to discuss your situation. A staff member will advise you of all the options available within the new by-law.
The width of your garage door will be used for your calculations.
If you don’t have a garage, or a garage door: measure the paved parking area on your property.
If the planned extension area includes water shut-off valves, electrical boxes or municipal access plates, you must contact the City at 905-479-7782 before proceeding.
When in doubt, check it out! Help is always available.
For more information call the By-law Enforcement and Licensing Department at 905-479-7782 or email customerservice@markham.ca.