- Use the Search By-laws tool and enter a keyword (e.g. Fence) or a by-law number (e.g. 22-001).
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- Browse the search results. To view a PDF version, click on the by-law number and title of your choice.
The online listing is updated as City Council passes new by-laws.
Disclaimer: By-laws contained in this section have been prepared for the purpose of convenience only and are not certified true copies. Where available, office consolidated versions, combining the original By-law and any amendments, are provided for ease of use. For accurate reference, consult copies of the official By-laws and documents in the Records Division of the Office of the City Clerk.
For by-laws and documents that are not available in an electronic format, email [email protected].
The by-laws include those enacted, amended and repealed by City Council, as well as those enacted, amended and repealed by the Ontario Municipal Board, Ontario Land Tribunal or Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. The City of Hamilton provides online access to reference copies of current by-laws dating from 2004 to the present.
There may be one or more subject categories assigned to each by-law depending on context. Selecting a specific category can narrow your search.
By-laws are the official rules that define how the City is governed
Documents
The C5a Zone is typically located along pedestrian oriented streets where permitted commercial and residential uses create an active and vibrant pedestrian realm. Built form consists of buildings with only commercial uses at-grade and residential, commercial and limited institutional uses on the upper floors to encourage a pedestrian and transit-supportive environment. The range of permitted commercial uses along with their built form, are intended to meet the needs of residents and visitors while creating an inviting pedestrian environment.
The C6 Zone permits retail and service commercial uses which cater to the weekly and daily shopping needs of residents in the immediate and surrounding neighbourhoods. Retail shops and services may be clustered in a plaza form along collector and arterial roads where an enhanced street presence is provided by bringing buildings closer to the street. Residential uses are permitted but the intent of the zone is predominantly commercial use.
The C7 Zone permits large-format commercial uses catering to the travelling public and in turn, the built form is reflective through the presence of large buildings. The uses found within the C7 Zone are typically land intensive which may require outdoor storage and sales areas.
The TOC1 Zone is located along collector and arterial roads that function as higher order transit corridors. The Zone provides for a mixture of service commercial, retail and residential uses in stand-alone or mixed use buildings. The intent of the built form requirements is to create complete streets that are transit supportive and will provide for active, and pedestrian oriented streets.
The TOC2 Zone is located along collector and arterial roads which function as higher order transit corridors. The intent of the TOC2 Zone is to maintain areas of the corridor for uses that provide the daily and weekly services required for the local residents and surrounding community. The TOC2 Zone permits a mix of commercial and residential uses, however the priority of these areas is to maintain and provide service commercial and retail uses to meet the needs of the local community.
The TOC3 Zone is located along collector and arterial roads that function as higher order transit corridors. The Zone recognizes the residential nature of sections of the corridor and the need to maintain these areas for residential purposes in the future. The built form requirements allow for medium-density development, however this zone also recognizes existing built form.
The A1 zone permitted uses:
- Agriculture
- Community Garden (By-law No. 21-189, October 13, 2021)
- Residential Care Facility
- Secondary Uses to Agriculture
- Single Detached Dwelling
- Veterinary Service – Farm Animal
The A2 zone permitted uses:
- Abattoir
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Processing Establishment - Stand Alone
- Agricultural Storage Establishment
- Community Garden (By-law No. 21-189, October 13, 2021)
- Farm Product Supply Dealer
- Kennel
- Livestock Assembly Point
- Residential Care Facility
- Secondary Uses to Agriculture
- Single Detached Dwelling
Veterinary Service – Farm Animal
The S1 Zone permitted uses:
- Agriculture (By-law No. 18-219, August 17, 2018)
- Residential Care Facility
- Single Detached Dwelling
The S2 Zone permitted uses:
- Agriculture (By-law No. 18-219, August 17, 2018)
- Catering Service
- Commercial Recreation
- Craftsperson Shop
- Day Nursery
- Farm Product Supply Dealer
- Financial Establishment
- Medical Clinic
- Motor Vehicle Service Station
- Office
- Personal Services
- Private Club or Lodge
- Repair Service
- Restaurant
- Retail
- Studio
- Veterinary Service
- Veterinary Service – Farm Animal
The S3 Zone permitted uses:
- Agriculture (By-law No. 18-219, August 17, 2018)
- Community Garden (By-law No. 21-189, October 13, 2021)
- Day Nursery
- Educational Establishment
- Library
- Place of Worship
The E1 Zone applies to all properties that contain legally Existing commercial uses. This Zone recognizes and permits those uses that have been legally established prior to the enactment of this By-law. It is not the intent to add properties to the E1 Zone subsequent to the enactment of this By-law. Special Exceptions have been applied to some E1 Zone properties to identify the specific Existing Use(s) permitted.
The E2 Zone applies to all properties that contain legally Existing industrial uses. This Zone recognizes and permits those uses that have been legally established prior to the enactment of this By-law. It is not the intent to add properties to the E2 Zone subsequent to the enactment of this By-law. Special Exceptions have been applied to some E2 Zone properties to identify the specific Existing Use(s) permitted.
The U1 permitted uses is Airport.
The U3 Zone is for parking purposes such as a municipal parking lot or a private parking lot either as a surface lot or structured parking. An Urban Farmer’s Market is also permitted in the U3 Zone.
For the purpose of the Waterfront Zones, Figure 10 of Schedule F – Special Figures identifies the Blocks referenced in the Waterfront – Multiple Residential (WF1) Zone, Waterfront – Mixed Use (WF2) Zone and Waterfront – Prime Retail Streets (WF3) Zone.
The WF1 Zone permitted uses:
- Live/Work Unit
- Multiple Dwelling
The WF2 Zone permitted uses:
- Art Gallery
- Beverage Making Establishment
- Catering Service
- Commercial School
- Communications Establishment
- Craftsperson Shop
- Day Nursery
- Educational Establishment
- Financial Establishment
- Library
- Live/Work Unit
- Multiple Dwelling
- Museum
- Office
- Personal Service
- Place of Assembly
- Place of Worship
- Repair Service
- Restaurant
- Retail
- Social Services Establishment
- Studio
The WF3 Zone permitted uses:
- Beverage Making Establishment
- Catering Service
- Commercial School
- Communications Establishment
- Craftsperson Shop
- Educational Establishment
- Financial Establishment
- Live/Work Unit
- Multiple Dwelling
- Office
- Personal Service
- Place of Assembly
- Repair Service
- Restaurant
- Retail
- Studio
Special Exceptions for Specific Lands