One Stop for Business
Zoning Verification Report Application
Zoning Mapping
Explore our interactive zoning mapping to find the zoning on a property.
Zoning Verification
A Zoning Verification Application will provide you with the required documentation to:
- Open your business
- Apply for a business licence
- Apply for a building permit
The zoning of a property dictates what uses are permitted on that property. Currently there are 7 different Zoning By-laws which apply throughout the City of Hamilton, depending on your location. It is important to note that Zoning can differ from property to property.
Having a use that is permitted on one property does not necessarily mean it is permitted on another, even if the property is right next door. It is very important to check the zoning of a property prior to signing a lease or purchasing a property in order to ensure that your intended use is in fact permitted at that location.
Zoning regulates:
- Where buildings and other structures can be located.
- Types of buildings such as residential, commercial, industrial and institutional uses that are permitted at a particular address.
- How the property may be used such as lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights, and distance from the street.
Zoning Verification report changes
Going forward, City of Hamilton's Zoning Verification Reports will include:
Confirmation that the intended or current use of a property is permitted within the zoning of that property
Last/current recognized use of the property
If the property is subject to Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
If the property requires Conservation Authority approval
Zoning Verification Reports will not include information such as:
Outstanding work orders (including outstanding building permits, Orders to Comply, Stop Work Orders, Zoning Violations and/or Property Standards Orders)
Confirmation of the issuance of any building permits for septic systems
Confirmation if a final grading certificate has been received
Apply Online for a Zoning Verification
If you want to open an existing business at a specific address, you can apply for a Zoning Verification.
Application Fees: Refer to the Planning Division Fees page for a complete list of application fees.
If this is your first time applying online with the City of Hamilton, you’ll need to complete two simple steps.
Step 1: Create a City of Hamilton Account (my.hamilton.ca)
You will need to create an account at https://my.hamilton.ca/
- This is the City’s centralized access point that allows you to easily view, access, and submit a wide range of City services using one account.
- Once your City account is created, you can sign in anytime to manage your services online.
Step 2: Access the Customer Portal
- After signing in to my.hamilton.ca, select the Planning & Development Applications category to create your Customer Portal account.
- Once you are setup on the Customer Portal, navigate to Getting Started and select Planning & Growth Management. Select an action and follow the steps.
Need Help?
- For assistance with my.hamilton.ca and login troubleshooting visit My.hamilton Portal FAQs
- For assistance with applying, visit Planning, Permitting, Licensing & By-Law System
If you already have:
- a my.hamilton.ca account, and
- a Customer Portal account,
Visit https://my.hamilton.ca/ and select the Planning & Development Applications category. Navigate to Getting Started and select Planning & Growth Management. Select an action and follow the steps.
Need Help?
- For assistance with my.hamilton.ca and login troubleshooting visit My.hamilton Portal FAQs
- For assistance with applying, visit Planning, Permitting, Licensing & By-Law System
If you require alternate arrangements, please contact the Planning Division at 905-546-2424 ext. 2719 or [email protected] for assistance.
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