FAQ for Development Approvals

The Planning Division is accepting and processing all planning applications.

Questions on how to make an application or about an existing application can be sent by email to [email protected] or by phone at 905-546-2424 ext.1355. Please leave a detailed message including the address of the property you are inquiring about. The inquiry will be assigned to the appropriate planning staff to reply. Responses may take up to 2 business days.

For matters relating to site alteration, lot grading, water and sewer permits and other engineering matters, as well as street addressing/naming, please see Growth Management Division below.

For matters relating to building permits and zoning verifications, please see Building Division below.

To make an application to the Committee of Adjustment, please email [email protected].

Please send an email to [email protected]  indicating that you would like to make a digital submission and City staff will follow up with instructions. Digital submissions are preferred however if this is not possible there are other options available:

• Paper submissions can be sent to City Hall by courier or Canada Post. Please ensure that your parcel clearly indicates your file reviewers name.
• Paper submissions can be hand delivered to the drop box outside the 1st floor of City Hall.
  • Please ensure that your parcel clearly indicates your file reviewers name.

Please forward all requests to [email protected]. Ensure to  include the file number and address.

All matters concerning development related construction activity may be directed to 905-546-2424, extension 7860 or alternatively, an email may be sent to [email protected].

For inquiries related to site alteration or lot grading, an email may be sent to [email protected].

All matters regarding Development Engineering Approvals such as subdivision, site plans, various agreements, water and sewer permits etc., can be sent to Helen McArthur at [email protected] (for subdivisions) or Zivko Panovski at [email protected] (for Site Plans and Permits) and copy to [email protected].

Payments for permits can be made either by cheque or credit card. Cheques can be sent by courier or Canada Post or dropped off in person in the dropbox located at the rear doors at City Hall. Please ensure that your parcel clearly indicates your file reviewer’s name and location (Eg: City Hall 6th Floor). If paying by credit card, contact the reviewer directly for instructions on how to proceed.

Please note that City Hall is currently closed to walk-ins. As a result, there are two options for submitting applications and resubmissions:

• Paper resubmissions can be hand delivered to the drop box outside the 1st floor of City Hall. 
  • Please ensure that your parcel clearly indicates your file reviewers name.
• For digital resubmissions, a copy of the resubmitted documents can be uploaded to the CitySHARE platform.
  • After uploading your files, please send an email to the file reviewer and copy [email protected], (for Subdivisions) and [email protected] (for Site Plans and Permits), with the weblink and project details so that the appropriate files can be downloaded.

• Upon execution, the owner/applicant will be responsible for picking up the registration package at City Hall 1st floor upon notification by staff and delivering to the Provincial Land Registry Office.
• Staff are also continuing to post/distribute draft plan notices per legislated timelines.

Yes. Staff continues to process all approvals that are within the delegated authority of the City of Hamilton. Plan registrations are processed by the Provincial Land Registry Office.

Please send requests and inquiries to [email protected].

Visit the Site Alertation Permit page for more information.

Please contact [email protected].

Yes. All site alteration permits continue to be processed. Inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Please contact [email protected]. For more information, please visit Local Street Renaming or Naming and Municipal Addressing.

Please email [email protected]

The Building Division at 905-546-2720.

Yes

• In Person at the 3rd floor counter of City Hall beginning on Monday, April 25, 2022.
• Through our online building permit application system at eplans.hamilton.ca

Yes.  You can submit a request online at services.hamilton.ca/request-property-records. Please note we are experiencing delays due to an increase in inquiries.

The Province has, effectively, “frozen” the timelines for making decisions under the Planning Act. Regulation O. Reg. 149/20 https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r20149 states that, virtually all time periods under the Planning Act are suspended from March 17 until the close of the emergency and any appeals that happened to have been filed during that time are deemed “unfiled”. All required notices of decision are extended to 10-15 days after the end of the emergency, whenever that may be.