Widening a Driveway in Markham: Width Limits, Curb Cuts and Tree Rules
Neeraj Moolchandani is a top real estate agent in Markham, Ontario. Published November 12, 2026 · By Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTOR®, Cofounder of the Kaizen Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, Brokerage
The short answer
Under Markham's comprehensive zoning bylaw, a driveway generally cannot be wider than the garage door plus 2.0 metres, and never more than half the lot frontage. Only one driveway is allowed per lot in most cases. Widening the curb needs a City permit, and the City must be involved in the work. Trees of 20 cm or more in diameter on private land need a permit before they are injured or removed. Check your lot's zoning before you hire a contractor, because work that breaks the rules can be ordered removed.
Many Markham families need room for a third or fourth car, especially with adult children at home or a legal second unit. Our guide to finding a home with parking for every car helps buyers choose the right home. This post is for owners who want to change the driveway they already have. Our Kaizen Real Estate Team is one of the teams Markham homeowners trust for clear, practical advice.
Planning to widen your driveway before selling? Ask Neeraj whether it adds value.
Call (647) 370 8885The Width Rules in Plain Words
Markham's comprehensive zoning bylaw, 2024 19 sets these limits for most low rise homes:
| Rule | What the bylaw says | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum driveway width | Garage door width plus 2.0 metres | 5.3.2 f) |
| Overall cap | No more than 50% of the lot frontage | 5.3.2 g) |
| Minimum driveway width | Equal to the garage door width | 5.3.2 e) |
| Number of driveways | One per lot from a street, unless otherwise permitted | 5.3.2 a) |
| Parking pad with no garage | 3.7 metres wide, or 6.1 metres with at least 40% soft landscaping in that yard; never more than 50% of frontage | 5.3.4.1 |
| Other hard surfaces in the front yard | No more than 15% of the front yard, not counting the driveway and porch steps | 4.8.9.1 a) |
Source: City of Markham Zoning Bylaw 2024 19, consolidated July 2026. Some lots have site specific exceptions.
Example: a home with a 4.9 metre double garage door on a 12 metre lot can generally have a driveway up to 6.9 metres wide, since that is less than half of 12 metres. On a narrow 9 metre lot, the 50% cap of 4.5 metres would control instead.
Buying a home with a wide driveway? Neeraj can help you check it was done legally.
Call (647) 370 8885Curb Cuts Need the City
The lowered part of the curb is City property. Markham's Curb Modification Application page says you need a permit to widen a curb cut or create a new one, and that you may not modify a curb on your own. The allowed size is set by a separate bylaw, and the fee covers a site inspection. A wider driveway that ends at a narrow curb cut will not work well, so plan both together.
Trees and the Boulevard
Markham's Tree Preservation Bylaw requires a permit before you injure or remove a private tree with a trunk diameter of 20 cm or more, measured 1.37 metres above the ground. Digging for a wider driveway can damage roots, so ask the City's tree team before work starts. Trees on the boulevard belong to the City.
Adding a second unit and need parking? Talk it through with Neeraj.
Call (647) 370 8885Common Mistakes That Lead to a Redo
- Paving to the property line on both sides of the garage.
- Adding a second driveway or a side pad without approval.
- Widening the driveway but not the curb cut, so cars drive over the curb and grass.
- Covering the front yard in interlock beyond what the bylaw allows.
- Assuming a neighbour's wide driveway proves yours is allowed. Their lot may have an exception or a variance.
If your plan does not fit the rules, a minor variance from Markham's Committee of Adjustment may be possible. It takes time and approval is not certain, so do it before you hire a contractor.
Does a Wider Driveway Add Value?
Parking matters to Markham buyers, especially for multigenerational families and homes with a second unit. A legal, well finished driveway can make a home easier to sell. An illegal one can become a negotiating point or a closing problem if the buyer's lawyer asks about compliance. For other upgrades worth doing before a sale, see our guide on adding value without over renovating.
Before You Hire a Contractor
- Measure your garage door width and lot frontage from your survey.
- Check the zoning for your lot on Markham's zoning map, including any exceptions.
- Apply for the curb modification permit.
- Check for trees of 20 cm or more near the work area.
- Ask the contractor to show you the approved plan before work starts.
If you plan a legal second unit, our guide to legal basement apartments explains the parking question too.
Have a question about parking and resale? Call Neeraj.
Call (647) 370 8885Questions Markham Clients Ask
How wide can my driveway be in Markham?
Under Zoning Bylaw 2024 19, generally no wider than the garage door plus 2.0 metres, and never more than half the lot frontage. Some lots have exceptions, so check yours.
Do I need a permit to widen my driveway in Markham?
You need a City permit to widen the curb cut, and the City must be involved in curb work. The driveway itself must also meet the zoning limits.
Can I add a parking pad in my front yard?
Where there is no garage, a parking pad of 3.7 metres, or 6.1 metres with at least 40% soft landscaping in that yard, is generally allowed, up to half the frontage.
What if my driveway is wider than the bylaw allows?
You may face enforcement and be asked to restore it. A minor variance may be possible, but apply before doing work, not after.
Do trees affect driveway widening in Markham?
Yes. Private trees with a trunk of 20 cm or more at 1.37 metres need a permit before they are injured or removed, and root damage can count.
Keep Reading
Helpful Pages
Get Parking Right Before You Sell or Buy
Neeraj will help you understand how parking affects value on your street, and what buyers will ask about.
Sources: City of Markham, Zoning Bylaw 2024 19 (consolidated); City of Markham, Curb Modification Application; City of Markham, Tree Permit Application.
Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTOR®, Kaizen Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, Brokerage, 9763 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L6E 1A4. (647) 370 8885 · info@kaizenrealestate.ca. Published November 12, 2026. General information only, not legal, tax, financial or engineering advice. Rules and programs change, so confirm details with the official source and your own professionals before you act. Not intended to solicit properties currently under contract.
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