Why this matters
Ontario’s Building Code sets plumbing standards, and the City of Markham grants permits and sends inspectors. Skipping that step can surface awkwardly at closing, during a claim, or when a hidden joint lets go.
Typically needs a permit
- Creating an extra washroom or more fixtures.
- Relocating or extending drains.
- Installing a backwater valve.
- Basement bathroom rough-ins.
- Changing the water service or sewer lateral.
Red flags around the house
- Water where it has no business being.
- Drains slowing across the house.
- Hot water changes you cannot explain.
- Rising water bill with no new use.
Typically does not
- Swapping a tap or a toilet where the old one stood.
- Clearing drains.
- Repairing a leak with like-for-like parts.
- Replacing a water heater like for like, though gas work has its own rules.
| Job | Permit? |
|---|---|
| New basement bathroom | Usually yes |
| Faucet swap | Usually no |
| Backwater valve | Usually yes |
| Drain clearing | No |
Step by step
- Describe the planned work to the city or your plumber.
- Prepare drawings if required.
- Apply and pay the fee.
- Book inspections at rough-in and final stages.
- Keep the paperwork with your house records.
Inspections and records
An inspector usually visits at least twice on permitted plumbing work: once at rough-in, with drains and supply lines exposed and often under a test, and once at the end with fixtures set. Walls and concrete should not be closed until the rough-in has passed. Keep the permit card, inspection results and any drawings in a folder with your house papers. A buyer’s home inspector or lawyer may ask for them, and insurers sometimes want proof that a backwater valve or basement bathroom was installed properly.
Handing it over to us
Before you start a renovation. See bathroom renovation and basement rough-in.
Markham note: village-core houses tend to hide cast iron and galvanized behind plaster, while Cornell and Box Grove builds run PEX to a manifold. We ask the year your house was built so the right fittings ride along on the truck.
Straight from the phone log
Who applies for the permit?
Either the homeowner or the contractor. Agree on this before work starts.
Do subsidies require a permit?
Many do. Check current program terms.
Ready to get it fixed?
One call, a clear explanation, and work finished tidily before we leave.