Planning Applications
Official Plan Amendment
The Official Plan guides the development of the city by identifying where and under what circumstances certain types of lands uses can be located. If a proposal to develop land does not conform to the Official Plan policies and/or land use designation applied to those lands, an Official Plan Amendment will need to be made.
How to
Apply for an Official Plan Amendment
The process to obtain an Official Plan Amendment may take a minimum of four to six months to complete, after we receive your completed application including any supporting studies. The level of complexity and issues related to your proposal will affect this timeline.
Before submitting an application, a Formal Consultation is often required.
The purpose of this consultation is to:
- Confirm whether an Official Plan Amendment is necessary
- Provide initial feedback on the proposed amendment
- Outline information, studies, and reports such as noise or vibration studies, traffic impact studies, environmental assessments or archaeological assessments that you need to support your application
- Confirm whether you will need other approvals such as an Zoning By-law Amendment
Before you submit your application Planning staff may suggest that you consult with other City departments or agencies. You may also want to schedule a community information meeting.
Submission Requirements & Information
Review Official Plan Amendment Submission Requirements & Information
Application Form
This application form is to be used by persons or public bodies wishing to amend the land use designations (official plan or zoning) for a specific property in the City of Hamilton. In this form, the term "subject land" means the land that is subject of the proposed amendment. It is also to be used for any proposal to amend existing approved official plan policy or zone provisions.
Complete Official Plan Amendment Application Form
Are you eligible for fee exemptions? Are you applying for Eligible New Non-Profit Affordable Housing?
Complete Non-Profit Affordable Housing Fee Exemption Application Form
For all planning applications, payment of application fees must be made when the application is submitted. The payment is considered a requirement of a complete application. Application fees are non-refundable.
Refer to the Planning Division Fees page for a complete list of application fees.
The application fee can be paid by cheque, certified cheque (payable to “City of Hamilton”), or by in-person credit card transactions. All cheques submitted to the Planning Division must be accompanied by a cover letter or Fee Intake Memo indicating: municipal address of the development; the application type, description of the fee, fee amount, and cheque number; Owner /Applicant’s name and contact information; Agent’s name and contact information; and if known, the assigned file number and assigned Planner’s name.
Review fees for other external agencies (Conservation Authority, Hamilton International Airport) may be applicable, and the applicant shall contact each agency for confirmation of their fees. Refer to the Application Form for more information.
All applications are required to be submitted in electronic format (PDF) via the CitySHARE link or on a USB stick.
To initiate a digital application submission, email [email protected] to obtain a CitySHARE link to upload the completed application form, supporting information and materials. To complete the digital submission process, email [email protected] with subject line “NEW SUBMISSION – [Insert File Type] – [Insert Address]” to confirm that the upload to CitySHARE is complete.
Alternatively, the application can be mailed or delivered in person to:
City of Hamilton
71 Main Street West, 5th Floor
Hamilton, Ontario, L8P 4Y5
Attention: Planning Division
After Submission
- We will send you a notification of the completeness of the application within 30 days of receiving your application.
- If you did not provide the required information or fees with your application, we will return it to you with a request for the outstanding items. The incomplete application does not move forward to step three until we receive all required information or fees.
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