FAQs

A Zoning By-law is a Council approved set of rules and regulations that guide the development of a City.

Zoning regulations provide the rules on how buildings can be built.  Every property in the City is regulated by a Zoning By-law and the rules provide certain limitations to make sure development is appropriate and compatible with the surrounding uses.

To find out what your property is zoned, please visit the City’s Interactive Zoning Maps.

The development of a property, site or area at a higher density than currently exists through redevelopment, the development of vacant and/or underutilized lots within previously developed areas, infill development, and the expansion or conversion of existing buildings.

Low Density Residential Zones are the residential zones that are found in neighbourhoods across the City.  They permit residential uses like single family homes and semi-detached homes.  Through Reimagining Neighbourhoods, the types of housing permitted in Low Density Residential Zones is expanding to include street townhouses as well as triplexes and fourplexes.

Mid Rise Residential Zones are located on the edge of neighborhoods along main roads, allowing for stacked townhouses, block townhouses, or apartment buildings ranging from 6 to 12 stories depending on the location. These zones aim to provide housing options near public transportation and community services.

A multiplex is a term typically used to describe multi-unit housing like triplexes, fourplexes and sixplexes.   Multiplexes contribute to providing “missing middle” housing opportunities.

A multiple dwelling is a building with five or more units but does not include a street townhouse. Examples of a multiple dwelling include stacked and block townhouses, as well as apartment and condo buildings.

Zoning guides how land is used in our communities, including the type and size of buildings that are allowed on each property. In the past, the types of housing options permitted in our neighbourhoods was restrictive. Updates to the Zoning By-law will reduce barriers by permitting housing choice in Hamilton's neighbourhoods.

Sustainable development can be encouraged by permitting development in existing communities and leveraging existing services and residential land. This can help to minimize the environmental footprint of new housing development.  This is an energy and resource efficient way to deliver more housing options.