Most exterior changes in Unionville's heritage district need City of Markham approval first, but routine repairs to roofs, eaves troughs, chimneys, fences and existing cladding are exempt. Painting and window or door replacement need a free minor permit.
Unionville's Main Street is one of Markham's four heritage districts, alongside Thornhill, Markham Village and Buttonville. Markham Council designated Unionville under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act on September 30, 1997. That means a repair that would be a weekend job on a regular street can need paperwork first. Here's how Markham's own pages sort it out, so you know what to ask before anyone picks up a tool.
What the City says needs approval
Markham's heritage conservation page says that changing a property in a heritage conservation district requires a heritage review and approval process. The examples it gives are altering the exterior of any building, old or new, putting up new or replacement signs, and new buildings, additions or structural alterations. Note the words "old or new": a newer infill house in the district isn't automatically outside the rules.
Minor permits: the ones most repairs fall under
Markham splits heritage permits into minor and major. Its permit page lists these as minor: new wall cladding, painting, masonry work, window and door replacement, architectural changes such as verandas, trim and awnings, and fence modifications. Applications that comply with existing policy are approved by Heritage Section staff, with no committee meeting, and there is no application fee for a minor permit.
Major permits are for bigger projects, such as new residential units in a district or additions on designated properties. Most of those go to the Heritage Markham Committee, and fees apply under the City's fee by-law. A small repair job rarely lands here, but a porch addition or a new rear structure might.
What the City lists as exempt
The same page says general repairs to weather-stripping, eaves troughs, roofs, chimneys, fences and existing cladding need no heritage permit, and neither do backyard structures that aren't visible from the street. The key idea is repair. Fixing a section of existing cladding is one thing. Replacing it with a different material is "new wall cladding", which is a minor permit.
The City's general heritage page doesn't list these exemptions, so two Markham pages can read differently. When your job sits near the line, don't guess from one sentence.
The district plan is the real rulebook
The permit decision is made against the Unionville Heritage Conservation District Plan and its design guidelines, which cover alterations to both heritage and non-heritage buildings. Markham's web page describes these documents but doesn't spell out rules for windows, doors, siding or roofing; those details are in the plan itself. The City says paper copies are available from the Development Services Commission at the Markham Civic Centre for a fee.
How to avoid a wrong guess
- Call before you book the work. The City says to contact the Building Standards Department at 905-475-4870 for approvals before you begin, and its own advice is "when in doubt, check it out."
- Describe the job by material. "Repair existing" and "replace with new" can sort into different categories.
- Get the permit answer in writing and give your contractor a copy before work starts.
- Check whether a building permit is also needed. A heritage permit is separate from a building permit; see our guide to how building permits work in York Region.
What a mistake can cost
Under the Ontario Heritage Act, a person convicted of contravening the Act can be fined up to $50,000, and a corporation up to $250,000. Demolishing or removing a building or heritage attribute in a district without approval can reach $1,000,000. Those are maximums, not typical outcomes, but a few minutes on the phone is a much cheaper way to find out.
Timing
For a district alteration application, the Act gives council 90 days from the notice of receipt to decide, or longer if you agree to it. Markham doesn't publish a specific timeline for minor permits, so ask staff when you call and don't schedule a contractor until the answer is in.
Quick answers
Do I need a permit to repair my house in Unionville's heritage district?
It depends on the work. Markham says altering a building's exterior in the district needs heritage approval, but general repairs to roofs, eaves troughs, chimneys, fences and existing cladding are listed as exempt.
Is painting a Unionville heritage home a minor heritage permit?
Yes. Markham's permit page lists painting under Minor Heritage Permits, approved by Heritage Section staff when it complies with policy. There is no application fee for a minor permit.
Can I replace windows on a Unionville heritage home?
Window or door replacement is classed as a Minor Heritage Permit, so you apply first. Staff approve it only if it complies with the district's policy, so confirm before ordering anything.
How long does a heritage permit decision take in Markham?
For a district alteration application, the Ontario Heritage Act gives council 90 days after the notice of receipt, unless you agree to longer. Markham doesn't publish a set timeline for minor permits.
What if I do heritage-district work without approval?
Under the Ontario Heritage Act, a person can be fined up to $50,000, and a corporation up to $250,000. Demolishing or removing a building or heritage attribute can reach $1,000,000. Calling first costs nothing.
Related reading
- More home repair guides for Markham
- Exterior Repairs in Aurora's Heritage District: What Needs a Permit and What Doesn't
- How Do I Know If a Contractor Is Licensed in Ontario?
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