Markham pool enclosure permits · Reformity Inc.Pool Fence Permit in Markham
Yes. Markham requires a swimming pool enclosure permit, applied for through ePLAN, before any outdoor pool whose water can exceed 0.6 m (24 in) deep is built or installed, and the pool can't be filled until the enclosure is inspected and approved.
We prepare and submit your permit drawings to the City of Markham, then build to the approved plan.
Do you need a permit?
Pool fence permit rules in Markham.
Markham's pool rules come from Pool Enclosure By-law 2015-96, and the permit is for the fence, not the pool: the City wants the enclosure drawn on a site plan from a current survey before construction starts. On compact lots like those in Cornell and Cathedraltown, the 1.2 m clearance between water and fence, the 0.6 m undisturbed strip along the side or rear lot line, and the drainage swales decide how much room is left. In the Unionville, Markham Village, Thornhill and Buttonville heritage districts, a rear-yard pool also needs a Minor Heritage Permit. The rule that matters most: no water until the enclosure is inspected and approved.
Checked against the City of Markham's own by-laws and pages in November 2026. Rules change, so we confirm them for your address before we draw.
Permit before you build
Before any pool, hot tub or spa whose water can exceed 0.6 m (24 in) deep is built or installed, plans must go to the Chief Building Official and a permit be issued. The enclosure goes in the rear yard unless the City approves otherwise.
Pool Enclosure By-law 2015-96 (PDF)Height and water clearance
At least 1.2 m (4 ft) high at every point, measured from grade outside the enclosure, and no more than 1.8 m (6 ft). The enclosure must sit at least 1.2 m from the water's edge, with no more than 100 mm under it.
Pool Enclosure By-law 2015-96, s.7.1 & Schedule A (PDF)Self-closing, self-latching gates
Every gate needs a self-closing device that shuts it within 30 seconds and a lockable self-latching device on the inside face, near the top. Metal gates need a latch cover plate at least 0.3 m x 0.3 m. Gates stay padlocked when the pool isn't in use.
Pool Enclosure By-law 2015-96, s.9 (PDF)Nothing to climb
No rails or diagonal bracing on the outside that would help someone climb, and no opening over 100 mm. Wood boards can be 100 mm apart only where rails are at least 0.9 m apart, otherwise 38 mm. Chain-link mesh: 38 mm maximum.
Pool Enclosure By-law 2015-96, s.4 & Schedules B and D (PDF)Heritage district pools
Every lot in a Markham heritage conservation district counts as designated heritage property, and installing a rear-yard swimming pool, changing grades or adding fencing anywhere on it needs a Minor Heritage Permit. The districts are Unionville, Markham Village, Thornhill and Buttonville.
Heritage Permit By-law 2023-20, clause 4 (PDF)
What the city asks for
The Markham application.
Issued by: City of Markham, Building Standards Department (plans go to the Chief Building Official under Pool Enclosure By-law 2015-96); By-law Enforcement & Regulatory Services handles the final inspection and the security deposit. We put the package together, submit it and keep you posted.
Documents
- Swimming Pool Enclosure Application form
- Applicable Law Checklist, plus any approvals it calls for (such as TRCA)
- 2024 OBC Transition Declaration
- Swimming Pool Letter of Undertaking, with a security deposit by cheque or letter of credit
- Alectra utilities clearance, stamped approved
- Site plan from a current survey: property lines, existing buildings and the proposed pool
- Fence details (height, material, location) and the clearance between fence and pool
- Gate locations and details (self-closing and self-latching)
- Septic system location and clearance to the pool, if the lot has one
How it goes
- 1We measure the yard and confirm the enclosure fits in the rear yard, with the pool clear of any easement, the drainage swales undisturbed and a 0.6 m undisturbed strip left along the side or rear lot line.
- 2We draw the site plan from your survey, showing the pool, fence height and material, gates and the fence-to-pool clearance, as single-page landscape PDFs to the City's ePLAN standards.
- 3We send Alectra the clearance request with a site plan of the pool size, equipment and distances to the lot lines.
- 4We submit in ePLAN as a Pool Enclosure permit (work type: Installation) with the application form, Applicable Law Checklist, 2024 OBC Transition Declaration, Letter of Undertaking and Alectra clearance.
- 5While the pool goes in, a temporary 1.2 m fence encloses the pool or the property; we then build the permanent enclosure to the approved plan.
- 6Once the pool is installed and sodded, you request the final inspection from By-law Enforcement & Regulatory Services, which also releases the security deposit.
- Processing time
- Markham's target for the first review of a pool enclosure permit is 10 business days. An Alectra clearance approval is valid for 6 months.
- Inspections
- No water may go into the pool until the enclosure is inspected and approved, and the temporary enclosure stays up until a City by-law officer approves the permanent one. The final inspection, which releases the security deposit, is arranged with By-law Enforcement & Regulatory Services once the pool is installed and sodding is complete.
Pool enclosure fence — sheet 1 — Elevation, board-on-board section and post-footing detail. From a real Reformity permit drawing set, client details removed. Click to enlarge.
Pool enclosure fence — sheet 2
Pool enclosure fence — sheet 3
Permit drawings included
We prepare and submit your permit drawings.
Fence elevation, board and post-footing details, gate hardware and a key plan of the enclosure, drawn to the City of Markham's rules and submitted with your pool enclosure permit application.
- Dimensions to your lot lines
- Materials, sizes and spacing
- Footing and base sections
- Code notes for the inspector
Fencing · real projects
Recent fencing jobs in and around Markham.
Real Reformity jobs from our project files. Customer addresses are never published.
Markham pool fence permit FAQ
Quick answers.
The Pool Enclosure By-law's definition of a pool includes hot tubs and spas, and it bars installing any pool before a permit is issued. A hot tub needs no fence if it has a fitted, locking cover that can hold 90.72 kg (200 lb) and is kept locked when not in use. The City's permit guide describes the permit in terms of in-ground and above-ground pools, so we confirm hot tub installs with Building Standards.
Yes. Markham's permit list includes installing or changing a swimming pool fence enclosure, so a replacement goes through a pool enclosure permit. The new fence must still meet By-law 2015-96: at least 1.2 m and no more than 1.8 m high, no opening over 100 mm, and self-closing, self-latching gates.
No. The by-law says no water may be placed or left in a pool until the enclosure has been inspected and approved. While the pool is being installed, a temporary fence must enclose the pool or the property: 1.2 m high plastic or chain link with mesh no larger than 38 mm, on steel T-bar posts at most 3.0 m apart. If it encloses only the pool, it must stand at least 1.2 m from the pool's edge.
Send the form on this page or call 437-241-6287. We reply within one business day, visit to measure, prepare the drawings for the City of Markham, submit the application and give you a fixed written price for the work.
Let us handle the Markham permit.
We measure, draw it to the City of Markham's rules, submit the application and build to the approved plan. One business-day reply.
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Guide: Pool Fence Bylaws in the GTA: Height, Gates & Self-Latching Rules (2026)
Pool Fence Permit in other cities