Markham's New $6 Overnight Parking Fee Explained

Markham City News · Parking

By Michael John Lau, REALTOR® · Serving Markham & York Region, Ontario

If you have ever had family stay over in Markham, you know the routine. Before bedtime, someone logs on and asks the City for permission to leave the car on the street overnight. For years, that request cost nothing.

That changes on October 1, 2026. Michael John Lau, REALTOR® and one of the top real estate agents in Markham, explains the new fee, how the rules work and why he thinks this is a sensible move for the city.

The New Overnight Parking Rules at a Glance

Source: City of Markham, Overnight Parking Request. Rules can change, so check the City's page before you park.

What About Monthly Overnight Permits?

Some Markham neighbourhoods, such as parts of Cornell, allow residents to buy a monthly overnight permit. These permits are sold through the City's online permit portal, and you need proof of residency and vehicle ownership.

A few things to know:

• The permit is tied to one licence plate.
• You must park on your own street, and not for more than 24 hours in one spot.
• Permits are no longer mailed out. Your plate is on file.
• Permits are non-refundable and don't apply during snow clearing.

If your street is not in an approved zone, the daily exemption is your only option.

Michael John Lau's Take: A Fair Fee for a Well-Run City

Michael John Lau sees the new fee as a reasonable change, and here is why.

• It's a small, fair charge. Six dollars for a night of street parking is modest. People who use the service help cover it, instead of every taxpayer paying for it.
• Markham takes care of its streets. The City is always maintaining roads, clearing snow and keeping neighbourhoods looking good. That work costs money, and new revenue helps support it.
• Well-kept streets protect home values. As one of the top real estate agents in Markham, Michael sees it at every showing: buyers notice clean, well-maintained streets before they ever walk through the front door.

I think this is a good change. The City of Markham is constantly maintaining its roads and keeping the whole city looking great, and that doesn't happen for free. A small fee for overnight parking is a fair way to help pay for it. My hope is that the extra revenue is used wisely and goes back into the streets and services we all use every day.Michael John Lau, REALTOR®

What It Means for Markham Homeowners

For most households, the fee will barely register. Even using all 10 exemptions in a year works out to $60. But it is a good reminder to plan ahead:

• Hosting family? Count your cars before guests arrive. If everyone fits in the driveway and garage, there's no fee at all.
• Having your driveway redone? Book your exemptions for those nights, and avoid scheduling the work once snow clearing starts.
• Multi-car household? Clear out the garage. A garage full of storage is the most common reason cars end up on the street.

Why Parking Matters When You Buy or Sell

Parking is one of the questions Michael John Lau hears most from buyers, and it is easy to overlook until you move in. As one of Markham's top real estate agents, he suggests keeping it on your checklist.

Buyers: count the real parking spaces, not just the listing's number. Check the driveway width, whether the garage is usable and whether the street is in a monthly permit zone. Townhouses with a single-car driveway and homes with a basement tenant need the closest look. Learn more on the first-time buyer services page.

Sellers: if your home has a wide driveway or parks four cars, say so clearly. In a city where street parking is limited overnight, it's a real selling point. See how Michael markets homes on the marketing page, or get a free home evaluation.