Hamilton Search

Build, Invest & Grow

Planning & Development

Warming Centre at Bennetto Community Centre

Sun and Cloud icon

Winter Weather Impacts - January 25, 2026

Cold Weather Alert - Overnight January 22, 2026

Growth & Development in Hamilton

Planning, policies and guidelines for city application processes to develop or modify your property to conform with land use designations and zoning regulations.

Find a popular topic

Committee of Adjustment & Delegated Consent Authority

Authorities dealing with Consent (land severance, etc.) and Minor Variance applications.

Planning Applications

The Planning Act is provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario.

Heritage Properties

Properties protected under the Heritage Act and Municipal By-laws. Most changes require a Heritage Permit to maintain the cultural heritage value.

Financial Incentives & Community Improvement Plans

A tool that allows a municipality to direct funds and implement policy initiatives toward a specifically defined project area.

Design Review Panel

A voluntary technical panel that provides expert and impartial design advice and guidance to Planning staff on urban design matters of development within Design Priority Areas.

Development Charges, Community Benefits Charges & Parkland Dedication

Recovering growth related costs, adding parkland as condition of development and levy charges for larger buildings.

Growth Planning (GRIDS)

Updating the City's Growth Management Strategy, Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) and related studies.

Planning & Design Studies

Short and long term visions and strategies for land use and applying change within a site or a community.

Planning Policies & Guidelines

Listing of City created standards, guidelines and procedures for building, planning and developing in Hamilton.

Official Plan

An Official Plan is a guiding document – its goals and policies move the City of Hamilton towards achieving its visions for the future.

Waterfront Redevelopment

Redevelopment projects will transform the West Harbour into a vibrant, mixed-use, transit supportive & pedestrian-friendly community.

Zoning

Zoning By-law for Hamilton, including new 05-200 and Zoning By-law of the former municipalities.

Explore Planning & Development

Featured Programs & Services

Drone image of neighbourhoods in Hamilton

Zoning By-law 05-200

The City of Hamilton’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 05-200.

View Zoning By-law 05-200 Policies & Mapping

Person accessing zoning verification form on desktop

Zoning Verification

A Zoning Verification/Property Report Application will provide you with the required documentation to apply for a business licence, building permit or opening a business.

Financial table with magnifying glass and calculator

Development Charge Rates

Information Pamphlets provide a summary guide of Development Charges By-laws 19-142 and 11-174.

Hamilton City Hall during the day

Sever Property or Minor Variance

Application process and meeting schedule for the Committee of Adjustment.

Two people sitting at a table reviewing paperwork

Formal Consultation

Before submitting an application, property owners/developers are required to meet with Planning staff.

Date modified

September 24, 2025