Planning Applications

Street Naming & Renaming

Bills 23 & 109 - Development Planning processes are currently under review

Street naming in Hamilton is governed by the Municipal Addressing and Street Naming By-law No. 25-095(PDF, 231.57 KB), and the City's Street Naming Procedures. Street names contribute to Hamilton’s cultural identity, ease of navigation, and efficient emergency response.

Hamilton Street Naming Procedures(PDF, 160.59 KB)

The City of Hamilton manages both public and private street names, including naming or renaming requests for new subdivisions, condominium roads, and private roads. Most street names within Hamilton are named through the development approvals process (Site Plan, Plan of Subdivision and Plan of Condominium).

How to Submit a New Street Name

Applicants can submit a Street Name Request Form to the Growth Management Division for consideration. Staff reviews proposed names for compliance with Schedule “B” of the Municipal Addressing and Street Naming By-law and circulates them to the Ward Councilor and potentially to emergency services for input. Accepted names are added to the pre-approved list.

Complete Proposed Street Name Submission Form(PDF, 527.75 KB)

Submit to:
City of Hamilton
Planning and Economic Development Department
Attention: Legislative Approvals / Staging of Development
71 Main Street West, 6th Floor, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5
Email: [email protected]

Street Naming & Renaming

Public Roads

Private Roads

Street Renaming

Owners/developers obtain the pre-approved list and are encouraged to select relevant names, prioritizing names assigned for the geographic area of their subdivision. Names not on the list require the above review process. Applicants should consider historically significant names and maintain continuity in street naming for street extensions.

For Draft Plans of Subdivision, developers submit a list of proposed street names mapped on the plan.

Street type designations must reflect the street’s function, length, and configuration.

Street Type Designation	Criterion (applicable to)
Street, Avenue, Road, Boulevard or Drive	Major thoroughfares or streets of several blocks in length
Trail or Way	Streets which are winding or curved in nature
Terrace, Gardens, Grove, Pathway or Heights	Minor or short length streets
Lane or Mews	Narrow streets generally used for service or private roads
Crescent	Streets forming a crescent
Circle	Streets that are circular in nature
Gate	Short streets that provide entrance to subdivisions
Square	Streets that form part of a square
Court, Place or Green	Streets that form a Cul-de-Sac
Close	Streets that form a “P” shape with entry from another road
Hill or Rise	Streets that have a noticeable slope throughout the majority of its length

If the new street is an extension of an existing street, which cannot be renumbered, then the use of these qualifying words are permitted:

North
South
East
West
Upper
Lower

Private roads may or may not be named. If private roads are named, they are subject to the same naming requirements as public streets. For the most part, the decision to name a private road rests with the proponent seeking approval of a Plan of Condominium, though the City’s Municipal Addressing By-law No. 25-095 does provide the City with the authority to require a private road to be named if deemed necessary. Names must:

Be unique within the City.
Not duplicate or closely resemble existing names.
Comply with the Municipal Addressing By-law and 911 requirements.

A By-law to name a private street must be passed by Council in accordance with the Municipal Act.

Renaming is only considered to:

resolve duplicate street names, or
improve administration of essential services in the public interest.

To request renaming, a Street Name Change Request Form must be submitted with:

the proposed name and location,
a sketch of the street,
a petition signed by at least 80% of registered property owners on the street (one signature per property), and
a non-refundable fee.

Names should come from the pre-approved list or otherwise comply with the by-law’s criteria.

Once a complete application is received, it is circulated to internal/external agencies for comment. Notice of the proposal is sent to all affected property owners, and a public meeting is held by the Planning Committee. Council may then pass a By-law to rename the street.

The City is not liable for costs incurred due to renaming.

Complete Street Re-Name Request Form(PDF, 129.87 KB)

Submitted names will be reviewed by Staff and must align with the City’s naming criteria.

Refer to the Growth Management User Fees & Charges page for a complete list of application fees.

Please make cheques payable to “City of Hamilton” and mail or deliver along with your request to:
Hamilton City Hall
Planning and Economic Development Department
Attention: Legislative Approvals / Staging of Development
71 Main Street West, 6th Floor
Hamilton ON L8P 4Y5

Date modified

August 21, 2025