By-laws & Enforcement
Search By-laws
- Use the Search By-laws tool and enter a keyword (e.g. Fence) or a by-law number (e.g. 22-001).
- Narrow your search results by using the Category and Sort By filter options.
- Browse the search results. To view a PDF version, click on the by-law number and title of your choice.
The online listing is updated as City Council passes new by-laws.
Disclaimer: By-laws contained in this section have been prepared for the purpose of convenience only and are not certified true copies. Where available, office consolidated versions, combining the original By-law and any amendments, are provided for ease of use. For accurate reference, consult copies of the official By-laws and documents in the Records Division of the Office of the City Clerk.
For by-laws and documents that are not available in an electronic format, email [email protected].
The by-laws include those enacted, amended and repealed by City Council, as well as those enacted, amended and repealed by the Ontario Municipal Board, Ontario Land Tribunal or Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. The City of Hamilton provides online access to reference copies of current by-laws dating from 2004 to the present.
There may be one or more subject categories assigned to each by-law depending on context. Selecting a specific category can narrow your search.
By-laws are the official rules that define how the City is governed
Documents
The C3 Zone permits local commercial uses intended to serve residents within the surrounding neighbourhoods. Located primarily along collector or arterial roads and within close proximity to residential neighbourhoods, the built form within this Zone generally consists of larger commercial plazas to a maximum of 10,000 square metres.
Impact
City Wide
Type
Consolidation
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Zoning 05-200 City of Hamilton
The C5 Zone is found along collector and arterial roads where the zone permits a range of retail, service, commercial, entertainment, and residential uses serving the surrounding community. The built form encourages an active transit supportive, pedestrian environment that is anchored by single or mixed-use buildings oriented towards the pedestrian realm. Although residential uses are permitted, either as a single or mixed-use building, this zone is predominantly commercial.
Impact
City Wide
Type
Consolidation
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Zoning 05-200 City of Hamilton
The C1 Zone is generally located abutting or within the interior of a residential neighbourhood, where permitted commercial and residential uses are intended for residents in the immediate area. Types of built form include one- and two-storey buildings such as converted dwellings and “Main Street” commercial buildings where the scale, height, and bulk, are compatible to the surrounding residential neighbourhood.
Impact
City Wide
Type
Consolidation
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Zoning 05-200 City of Hamilton
The C4 Zone includes large format shopping centres, such as Limeridge Mall, and the Centre on Barton, which are characterized by commercial uses serving a regional market. The blend of uses within this zone includes retail, personal service, institutional, office and residential uses. The built form provides for a comfortable and vibrant pedestrian environment that is compact and transit supportive.
Impact
City Wide
Type
Consolidation
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Zoning 05-200 City of Hamilton
The C7 Zone permits large-format commercial uses catering to the travelling public and in turn, the built form is reflective through the presence of large buildings. The uses found within the C7 Zone are typically land intensive which may require outdoor storage and sales areas.
Impact
City Wide
Type
Consolidation
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Zoning 05-200 City of Hamilton
Establish a system of administrative penalties for contraventions of City of Hamilton by-laws.
Repealing and replacing By-law No. 15-138.
Office Consolidation as of April 23, 2025.
Impact
City Wide
Type
Consolidation
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Administrative Penalties
The U2 Zone applies to areas used for railway uses, including but not limited to freight, commuter, and passenger trains and any associated station locations, transportation uses including but not limited to as transit terminals and transportation depots and utility uses, including but not limited to hydro corridors and transformers.
Impact
City Wide
Type
Individual
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Zoning 05-200 City of Hamilton
The property located at 13-15 Inglewood Drive, Hamilton, Ontario and more particularly described in Schedule "A" hereto annexed and forming part of this by-law, is hereby designated as property of cultural heritage value.
Impact
Ward: 2
Type
Individual
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Heritage
Land Designation
Establishes part-lot control on land within registered plans of subdivision. PLC-17-002
Impact
Ward: 9
Type
Individual
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Part Lot Control
Establishes part-lot control on land within registered plans of subdivision. PLC-17-004
Impact
Ward: 9
Type
Individual
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Part Lot Control
Establishes part-lot control on land within registered plans of subdivision. PLC-17-005
Impact
Ward: 9
Type
Individual
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Part Lot Control
Establishes part-lot control on land within registered plans of subdivision. PLC-17-006
Impact
Ward: 9
Type
Individual
Date Passed
Issued by
City Council
Categories
Part Lot Control