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]ton.ca (for Site Plans and Permits), with the weblink and project details so that the appropriate files can be downloaded.

• The City continues to process all approvals that are within the delegated authority of the City of Hamilton.
• Upon execution, the owner/applicant will be responsible for picking up the registration package at City Hall 1st floor (appointment required) upon notification by staff and delivering to the Provincial Land Registry Office, which is subject to reduced hours of operation (currently Monday to Friday 9 am to 12 noon EST).
• 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, which is subject to reduced hours of operation (currently Monday to Friday 9 am to 12 pm EST).

Staff are also continuing to post / distribute draft plan notices per standard timelines.

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 contact George Zajac or Alvin Chan vie email at [email protected] or [email protected].

The Building Division at 905-546-2720.

Yes

• As the Building Division is not open to the public, you have four options to submit all applications and resubmissions:
  • Canada Post
  • Courier
  • Through our online building permit application system at https://eplans.hamilton.ca
• To ensure health and safety guidelines, there is also a secure mail box at the rear doors of City Hall available for submissions. Please note this is a multi-purpose standard mail box for small parcels only; large parcels are to be sent via Canada Post or courier. 
• All hardcopy submissions mailed, couriered or dropped off, must be securely packaged and addressed to the name of the plan reviewer, Building Division, 3rd Floor.

Under the Stay at Home regulations, some types of construction activities are not permitted to continue. At this time, there are some restrictions on other construction projects, such as certain types of retail projects, and the start of any new home renovations.

The ability to continue construction is subject to the Provincial Order. It is the obligation of the permit holder to ensure their business, and any construction conducted under the permit, complies with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, as amended, and all associated regulations and orders which can be reviewed at https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e09. The Province has launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 to assist Ontario businesses that are seeking clarity with respect to the requirements of the Provincial Order.

Should the Provincial Order be reinstated prohibiting construction sites to stay open the City of Hamilton Building Inspectors will be enforcing the order.  If the order is reinstated or another order issued residents can report it by contacting 905-546-2489.

The Provincial Order has been lifted and all construction can commence in accordance with the Ontario Building Code requirements.  If the order is reinstated or another order issued, this could alter this.

Yes, and the request will be completed, and information sent to you – please be aware that during this time that there may be delays.

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.