FAQs

Yes, you may still submit a request for an address change, accompanied by the applicable fee, after the By-law is passed. Staff will review each request in accordance with our Municipal Address Policy to determine if your request can be accommodated.

If you believe your address number is out of sequence, please contact City staff at maddress@hamilton.ca(External link) as soon as possible to alert us to the situation. Staff will provide guidance on any necessary steps to ensure compliance with the Policy and By-law. A change to your Municipal Address Number may be required, including payment of the applicable fee.

If there is a duplicate address causing confusion, you can report the issue to City staff at maddress@hamilton.ca(External link). Staff will review the situation and may take actions such as a change of Municipal Address Number(s) and/or requiring additional or revised address signage on the Property to ensure public safety and improve clarity for wayfinding purposes, such as for delivery personnel

Yes, a building without a visible address posted is a public safety concern, as it can negatively affect emergency services response times. Under the By-law, enforcement options are available to require the display of a municipal address. You will be able to report this type of situation to City staff for action once the By-law is enacted.

Yes, By-law allows the City to require a change to your Municipal Address Number to bring it into compliance with the Municipal Addressing Policy and By-law. For example, a change to your Municipal Address Number may be necessary to maintain appropriate sequencing, odd-even parity along the street, or at the time of development/redevelopment of the property. Adherence to the Policy and By-law is necessary to improve and maintain public safety and wayfinding to your location.

Yes, at the option of the Owner, the Owner may submit an Address Request for a vacant property. Please contact City staff at maddress@hamilton.ca(External link) to initiate the Address Request process. It should be noted that at the time of development of the property, a new address(es) or a change of address may be required.

While the By-law states that an address is not required for vacant land, there may be situations where a different City Department or Section will require that a vacant property is addressed for administrative or record-keeping purposes., such as when you are submitting a permit application, Planning Act application, etc., for the vacant property. Please contact City staff at maddress@hamilton.ca(External link) to initiate the Address Request process.

No. All existing address/unit number signage that does not comply with the requirements of the By-law and / or applicable Policies will need to be replaced and / or relocated to be brought into compliance with the By-law and / or applicable Policies. If you are unsure or have questions, you may contact City staff at maddress@hamilton.ca(External link) for guidance.

You may need a Property Identification Sign. Please contact the Public Works Department (Traffic Operations at trafficops@hamilton.ca(External link)) who administers these signs, and they will review your property location to determine whether a Property Identification Sign is required, and if so, they can advise on the necessary steps to have one installed.

Yes, a separate municipal address is required for a Detached Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU). This ensures that emergency services, mail delivery, and utilities can accurately identify and service the Detached Additional Dwelling Unit independently from the principal dwelling. You should contact City staff at maddress@hamilton.ca(External link) prior to applying for a building permit so that the appropriate Municipal Address Number may be assigned for your Detached Additional Dwelling Unit.

Two unit numbers may be assigned to ensure clarity and proper identification for each unit within the dwelling. This approach helps to avoid confusion and ensures that each unit is uniquely identifiable for emergency services, mail delivery, and utilities.

The Address/Unit Number Request fee is separate from the Building Permit fee structure. Many building permit applications do not require a unit number to be assigned, and therefore the Building Permit fee does not account for the assigning of a municipal address or unit number. This Address/Unit Number Request fee ensures that the new address and/or unit number(s) is properly documented and integrated into the City’s Municipal Address File.

The reason for this is to ensure that emergency services can swiftly identify a property that contains a Detached Additional Dwelling Unit, even when the Detached Additional Dwelling Unit is not visible from the street.