Residential Zones Project | City of Hamilton

The City of Hamilton’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 05-200 came into effect on May 25, 2005, and is being implemented in stages. This Zoning By-law applies to the entire City of Hamilton and is replacing the Zoning By-laws of the former municipalities.

The final phase of this project is focused on residential zones in the urban area. The purpose of this project is to implement the policies of the Urban Hamilton Official Plan to create consistent residential zones across the entire urban area of Hamilton.

Phase One - Low Density Residential Zones

Low density residential areas are the neighbourhoods across the City that are zoned a low density residential zone, permitting low density residential uses like single detached dwellings, semi-detached dwellings, and street townhouses.

Expanding the Permissions in Low Density Residential Zones

On August 12, 2022, the City of Hamilton Council approved By-law Nos. 22-191, 22-192, 22-193, 22-194, 22-195, 22-196, and 22-197 - Amendments to expand the permitted uses in the Low Density Residential Zones of the Former Community Zoning By-laws of the Town of Ancaster, Town of Dundas, Town of Flamborough, Township of Glanbrook, City of Hamilton, and City of Stoney Creek and to create two new Low Density Residential Zones in Zoning By-law No. 05-200.

The changes to the City’s Low Density Residential Zones have the effect of:

Removing barriers to small-scale intensification in low density residential areas of the City by permitting a wider range of housing options in existing neighbourhoods; and
Promoting sustainable development by removing barriers to growth in existing neighbourhoods, and affordability by providing more housing choice in these neighbourhoods.

As a result of the changes, these uses are now permitted in Low Density Residential Zones (in addition to existing permissions):

Duplex Dwellings;
Semi-Detached Dwellings;
Street Townhouse Dwellings; and
The conversion of an existing Single Detached or Duplex Dwelling to contain a greater number of dwelling units within the dwelling, up to a maximum of four dwelling units.

Housing Choice in Hamilton’s Neighbourhoods(PDF, 1.2 MB)

Changes to City of Hamilton Zoning By-law No. 05-200 (By-law No. 22-197)

In addition to the new permitted uses and Converted Dwelling permissions two new Low Density Residential Zones – the Low Density Residential (R1) Zone, and Low Density – Small Lot (R1a) Zone have been introduced to the City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 05-200.

For further information, review Staff Report PED22154 - Agenda Item 9.6

The new permissions within Low Density Residential Zones do not extend to properties within Secondary Plans. Location of Secondary Plans in Hamilton(PDF, 1.42 MB). Secondary Plans will be evaluated as part of local community updates to the Urban and Rural Hamilton Official Plans which will evaluate matters of local context.

Neighbourhood Infill Design Guidelines and Zoning Regulations

With the recent changes to the Low Density Residential Zones, staff are now embarking on the next steps in implementing the changes to the Urban Hamilton Official Plan resulting from completion of Phase 1 of the Official Plan Review

To encourage small-scale intensification opportunities in low density residential areas, the Urban Hamilton Official Plan now permits fourplexes and multiple dwellings of up to six units for lots in proximity to collector or arterial roads.

The City is developing Infill Design Guidelines for these forms of housing which will inform the development of new zoning regulations. The guidelines will work with the new zoning regulations to direct the integration of denser housing forms in neighbourhoods.

To inform this work, in November 2022, the City consulted with the public through a focus group discussion about what one values in their neighbourhood and important elements to address when developing design guidelines and zoning regulations for small-scale intensification in neighbourhoods.

Summary of the focus group discussion(PDF, 166.13 KB)

Next Steps

Prepare Draft Infill Design Guidelines and Zoning Regulations
Test the Draft Guidelines and Regulations by working with local architects to test against sample sites across the city.
Finalize the documents for consultation.

Learn More About

Secondary Dwelling Units & Related Projects

Secondary Dwelling Units (Additional Dwelling Unit)

In May 2021, amendments were made to the City’s Zoning By-laws to permit Secondary Dwelling Units (also known as an Additional Dwelling Unit). An Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a dwelling unit that is accessory to the main dwelling. A common example of a ADU is a basement apartment.

There are two types of Additional Dwelling Units:

One that is internal to the main dwelling such as a basement apartment or in an addition to the main dwelling; and,
A Detached Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU-D) which is a self-contained dwelling unit that is separate from the main dwelling on a lot. Detached Additional Dwelling Units may be newly constructed in the rear and/or side yard of a lot or may be created from the conversion of an existing accessory building such as a detached garage.

Possible Additional Dwelling Unit Configurations:

Diagram showing principal residential dwelling with additional dwelling unit in basement

Diagram showing principal residential dwelling with additional dwelling unit attached to the back

Diagram showing principal residential dwelling with additional dwelling unit on top floor of dwelling

Detached Additional Dwelling Unit:

A Detached ADU can be located in the rear yard or interior side yard of a property. These diagrams illustrate the possible layout of a Detached ADU on a lot, based on the requirements of the Zoning By-law. Refer to the Zoning By-law for the full set of regulations that apply to Detached ADUs.

Detached ADU on an Interior Lot:

Diagram showing principal dwelling with detached additional unit in the rear yard with shared driveway

Diagram showing principal dwelling with detached additional unit in side yard with shared driveway

Detached ADU on a Corner Lot:

Diagram showing principal dwelling with detached additional unit in rear yard on corner lot with separate driveway

Download Interior Lot Diagrams(PDF, 365.32 KB) | Download Corner Lot Diagram(PDF, 212.49 KB)

Note: Due to site constraints, not all lots may be able to accommodate a Detached ADU

In Hamilton, the permissions are:

One ADU within the principal dwelling and one Detached ADU on a lot containing a Single Detached Dwelling, Semi-Detached Dwelling or Street Townhouse Dwelling in the Urban Area; and,
One ADU within a Single Detached Dwelling or a Semi-Detached Dwelling in the Rural Area;

On June 8, 2022, the City of Hamilton Council approved By-law Nos. 22-132, 22-133, 22-134, 22-135, 22-136, 22-137 and 22-138 – Updates to the Secondary Dwelling Unit (SDU) and Secondary Dwelling Unit – Detached (SDU-D) regulations of City of Hamilton Zoning By-law No. 05-200 and the Former Community Zoning By-laws of the Town of Ancaster, Town of Dundas, Town of Flamborough, Township of Glanbrook, and City of Hamilton.

The changes to the City’s Secondary Dwelling Unit and Detached Secondary Dwelling Unit- regulations were made to provide clarity and consistency to the regulations already in effect and will improve by-law interpretation and ease implementation going forward.

For further information, review Staff Report PED20093(c) – Agenda Item 9.1