Official Plan Amendment

Before submitting an application, a Formal Consultation is recommended. The Formal Consultation process is no longer mandatory and is at the discretion of the Applicant. 

The purpose of the Formal Consultation is to:

• Confirm whether an Official Plan Amendment is necessary
• Provide preliminary comments and feedback on the proposed amendment
• Tailor the submission requirements based on the context of the proposal.
• Confirm whether you will need other approvals such as an Zoning By-law Amendment

Submission Requirements & Information

Review Official Plan Amendment Submission Requirements & Information(PDF, 151.15 KB)

If an Applicant chooses not to proceed with the Formal Consultation process, the submission requirements as set out in the Official Plan must be met. Refer to the new Official Plan Schedule - Other Information and Materials:

• Urban Hamilton Official Plan - Schedule I(PDF, 285.46 KB)
• Rural Hamilton Official Plan - Schedule H(PDF, 289.93 KB)
• Regional Hamilton OP - Schedule I

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(PDF, 1.34 MB)

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(PDF, 293.38 KB)

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(PDF, 129.58 KB) 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 Sync link.

To initiate a digital application submission, email [email protected] to obtain a Sync 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 Sync 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