GuideYork Region
York Region backflow programs: Aurora, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan
York Region supplies the water; backflow prevention at a property is enforced by the local city or town. Aurora, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan each enforce their own by-law. In all four, test reports are due within 14 days, or 15 in Aurora. Other deadlines, fees and filing routes differ. Aurora, Markham and Vaughan list us as a qualified company; for Richmond Hill, send us the notice and we confirm the next step.
Four of York Region's programs
York Region supplies the water; backflow prevention at a property is enforced by the local city or town under its own by-law. Newmarket and King run programs of their own, which this page does not cover. The steps are broadly similar in all four:
- a survey when notified;
- installation of what the survey calls for;
- a test of every device every year;
- the report filed within 14 days (15 in Aurora).
All four programs cover industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) properties. The other details differ:
| Municipality | By-law | Applies to | Survey | Report due | Municipal fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | 6213-19 | ICI and multi-residential | Every 5 years | 15 days | None |
| Markham | 2012-27 | ICI, multi-residential, some houses | Every 5 years | 14 days | Online filing free; paper fees charged to the tester; $301.50 for an owner who misses an Order to Comply |
| Richmond Hill | 125-14 | ICI (program scope) | Every 5 years | 14 days | $74 plus HST per premise device |
| Vaughan | 177-2020 | ICI and multi-residential | Every 5 years | 14 days | No report filing fee |
Who can test also differs. Aurora and Vaughan publish an Approved Qualified Company List. Markham publishes a list of qualified persons. Richmond Hill publishes no list and accepts testers who meet its published requirements.
What we do in York Region
Vaughan and Aurora list Spec-Mark Group as an Approved Qualified Company for all functions. Markham lists the company under its former name, Spec-Mark Mechanical. Richmond Hill publishes no list; its backflow page sets out the certificates and licences a tester must hold. For a Richmond Hill property, send us the notice and we confirm the next step. In Aurora, Markham and Vaughan we:
- complete the survey report the municipality requires;
- apply for permits and install a device where the survey calls for one;
- test each device every year;
- file every report with the municipality, with a copy to you.
Our certificates are listed under Qualifications.
Questions
Does York Region have a backflow prevention by-law?
York Region's published list of by-laws includes none on backflow prevention; your city or town enforces it. This page covers four municipalities, each with its own by-law. The notice you receive comes from your city or town, and its deadlines are the ones that apply.
Which municipalities are covered?
Four York Region municipalities, each with its own backflow program: Aurora, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan. Newmarket and King also run programs. If your property is elsewhere in York Region, send us the notice and we confirm the next step.
Sources
- Town of Aurora, Backflow Prevention Program
- City of Markham, Institutional, Commercial and Industrial Services (backflow prevention)
- City of Richmond Hill, Backflow Prevention
- City of Vaughan, Backflow Prevention Program
- Town of Aurora, Backflow and Cross Connection By-law 6213-19 (PDF)
- City of Markham, Backflow Prevention By-law 2012-27 (PDF)
- City of Richmond Hill, By-law No. 125-14 (Council package, September 22, 2014)
- City of Vaughan, Backflow Prevention By-law 177-2020 (consolidated May 5, 2025)