Markham project guide

Do you need a building permit for solar photovoltaic panels in Markham?

Check Markham building permit rules for ground- and roof-mounted solar photovoltaic panels and when other approvals still apply.

1 min readReviewed Oct 1, 2026

The short answerConditional

Markham lists ground- or roof-mounted solar photovoltaic panels among housing projects that do not require a building permit.

That exemption is specific to the City’s building-permit list. Electrical work remains outside the municipal building-permit process and other site or heritage conditions may still apply.

Make this useful for my project

Know what matters

What changes the answer.

Start with these conditions. The official reference is attached to each one.

Ground-mounted solar PVBuilding permit not required under the cited exemptionConditional

Markham lists ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels among permit-exempt housing projects.

Official sourceCity of MarkhamBuilding Permit Process · Roof, solar, retaining wall and accessory-building exemptions

Verified2026-10-01Open proof

Roof-mounted solar PVBuilding permit not required under the cited exemptionConditional

Roof-mounted solar photovoltaic panels are also listed as permit-exempt.

Official sourceCity of MarkhamBuilding Permit Process · Roof, solar, retaining wall and accessory-building exemptions

Verified2026-10-01Open proof

Electrical workSeparate approval systemInfo

Markham separately lists electrical projects as outside its building permit requirement.

Official sourceCity of MarkhamBuilding Permit Process · Roof, solar, retaining wall and accessory-building exemptions

Verified2026-10-01Open proof

Your preparation checklist

Your preparation progress

0 of 2 ready

Your progress is saved in this browser. Come back whenever you’re ready.

Panel layout and equipment information for contractor/ESA use
Property information for any separate planning or heritage review

Fees and timing

TimelineConfirm the current municipal review stream after a complete application is submitted.

FeesConfirm the current Markham permit fee for the exact scope before filing.

Next steps

Confirm the system is photovoltaic
Check whether heritage or other property-specific approvals apply
Coordinate electrical approval with the appropriate authority
Keep municipal building-permit and electrical requirements separate

Same project, different city

See how this rule changes across Ontario.

Compare the source-reviewed answer for this project across every municipality BuildRules currently covers.

Compare solar panels rules by city

Better decisions, together

Get everyone on the same page.

Send this to your designer or contractor before agreeing on the scope.

Paid research brief

Get a clearer plan before you spend.

Turn the published rules, documents, timing and questions to verify into one project-specific preparation brief.

39 CADone-time

See what’s included

Research guidance only. Municipal approval and professional design are separate.

A little help with the next step

Move your solar panels forward.

Tell us what kind of help you need. We’ll save the request with your project and municipality so a relevant provider can respond if a match is available.

BuildRules principle

Do not confuse “no permit” with “no rules.”

Zoning, overlays, safety rules and other constraints can still apply.

Keep exploring

Your next useful question.

A connected project guide or a practical next step, picked for this topic.

All project guides

Related project

Do you need a permit to replace roofing or shingles in Markham?

The exemption applies to replacement work. Structural changes or other regulated alterations should be treated separately.

1 min read

Related project

Do you need a permit for a home addition in Markham?

Before issuance, Markham reviews the proposed work against the Ontario Building Code and applicable laws including the City’s zoning by-laws.

1 min read