FAQs

Generally, a broad Adequate Temperature By-law would impose a maximum indoor temperature requirement of 26°C in rental units in Hamilton. Through a proposed By-law, landlords/property owners could be required to provide cooling equipment in rental units, where temperatures exceed 26°C.

In May 2023, Hamilton’s City Council directed staff in Licensing and By-law Services Staff to prepare an Information Report for Q4 2023 identifying the 2024 priorities and timelines for the development of new by-laws, including an Adequate Temperature By-law and report back to the Planning Committee.

Central Air Conditioning: is an appliance, and includes a permanently installed cooling system that delivers conditioned or cooled air to multiple rooms within a dwelling unit through a network of ducts, vents, or similar distribution methods. 

Non-Central Air Conditioning: is an appliance, and includes any cooling appliance that is not Central Air Conditioning, including, but not limited to, windows, portable units, through-the-wall units, and ductless mini-split systems.

The Community Heat Response Plan brings together several Divisions, community partner agencies and service providers to provide support and information to residents who are most vulnerable to heat related illness. Where Environment Canada has initiated either a Heat Warning and/or Extended Heat Warning, Public Health Services will amplify the warning and alert the public that hot weather conditions are imminent or occurring and outline services that may be provided to Hamilton residents. The partnering agencies and services providers of the Community Heat Response Committee implement the Community Heat Response Plan according to their roles and responsibilities.

The Special Supports program in the Ontario Works Division provides a range of health-related benefits to residents, including an air conditioner benefit. The benefit is a one-time discretionary benefit, issued to recipients of Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program who live independently within the community. The intent of the benefit is to assist eligible individuals who have a severe medical condition and where, without an air-conditioner, the symptoms of the medical condition are likely to deteriorate, increase, become episodic or cause hospitalization. In 2024, the benefit was expanded to include low-income residents who have a severe medical condition as noted-above.

In 2025, the Property Standards By-law No. 23-162 was amended to incorporate new language about cooling appliances. The changes to the By-law mean that where a landlord is responsible for providing cooling or where a cooling appliance is present in a unit, that the landlord must ensure that the appliance is in a state of good repair. The amendments further define a “good state of repair” to mean that the air conditioning appliance supply sufficient cooling to maintain an indoor temperature of not more than 26°C within the dwelling unit from May 15 to September 15. Officers will now investigate complaints related to cooling equipment.