Framework for Processing & Evaluating Urban Boundary Expansion Applications

Update: Final Report on Framework going to Planning Committee

Having concluded our engagement on the Draft Framework, the What We Heard Report and a Question-and-Answer document are now available for review. After incorporating the feedback received through consultation, Staff will be submitting a final report on the framework to the Planning Committee for approval on April 8, 2025. At the same meeting, the City will be holding a Statutory Public meeting under the Planning Act to consider amendments to the Urban Hamilton and Rural Hamilton Official Plans, which incorporates the framework into policy.

The City of Hamilton remains committed to a firm no urban boundary expansion and responsible growth, however, the Ontario government has introduced significant changes to municipal planning rules (Bill 185), including permissions for private landowners and proponents to propose urban boundary expansions. The new rules pose a direct challenge to a firm urban boundary and our existing, provincially approved Official Plans. The final decision on whether an urban boundary expansion application is approved now lays with the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) rather than municipal councils or the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as it was previously.

In response to these Provincial changes, the City of Hamilton has developed a Draft Framework for processing and evaluating Urban Boundary Expansion applications.

Additional Resources

• History of Hamilton's Urban Boundary
• The City's Response to Provincial Policy Changes
• Managing Provincial Policy Changes to Urban Boundary Expansion

We want your feedback!

We are actively seeking public input to shape the final version of the Urban Boundary Expansion Framework. The establishment of a Framework for urban boundary expansion applications does not detract from the City’s no urban boundary expansion strategy.

We're collecting information as part of this project
The City of Hamilton collects information under authority of Section 227 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Any personal information collected for Processing & Evaluating of Urban Boundary Expansion Applications will be used to refine the draft framework. More details and contact information can be found in the right column of this page under "Notice of Collection".