Residential Parking on Private Property

To qualify for a residential boulevard parking space, these requirements must be met:

• Parking Space size - The proposed parking space must be:
  • For single width driveway – exactly 2.7 metres in width by a minimum of 6.0 metres in length
  • For double width driveway – exactly 5.5 metres in width by a minimum of 6.0 metres in length. 
• Parking space layout - The space must be perpendicular (90 degrees) to the sidewalk and not be angled or parallel. The parking space cannot be gained from a neighbouring driveway.
• The parking space may be located either entirely on the boulevard or partly on the boulevard and partly on private property.
• Driveway Approach ramp:
  • For one- and two-family dwellings - the driveway approach ramp shall not exceed 5.7 metres in width.
  • For three-family dwellings – the driveway approach ramp will not exceed 8 metres in width.
    The cost of this construction is the homeowner’s responsibility and the price is determined by the City. Upon approval of a Boulevard Parking space, the City’s Public Works Department will provide a cost estimate to install (or widen an existing) driveway access ramp. The cost estimate will be provided directly to the property owner.
    Single approach ramps typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000 whereas a double ramp typically is between $2,000 and $2,500. The actual cost will vary depending on the work involved.

• Driveway Surface treatment – upon approval and once a Boulevard Parking agreement is issued, the approved parking space can then be constructed. The property owner, at their discretion, may initially build the driveway in gravel. However, the driveway must ultimately be converted to a hard surface (asphalt, concrete, interlocking brick) as per the Boulevard Parking Agreement.
• Types of vehicles permitted to park in a Boulevard Parking space - all vehicles registered as non-commercial, passenger vehicles can park in residential boulevard parking spaces.
  Commercial vehicles such as trailers, boats or recreational vehicles are not permitted to park in these spaces.Commercial vehicles, trailers, boats and/or recreational vehicle are not permitted to park in a Boulevard Parking space.
• Shared or Mutual Driveway - The proposed parking space can not include any portion of an existing shared/mutual driveway and each space must have its own approach ramp.
• Clearance from fire hydrant, hydro/utility poles and other public infrastructure – The proposed parking space must be a minimum 1.0 metre away from all hydro poles, utility boxes, fire hydrants and all other City owned assets.
• Clearance from front steps - The proposed space must account for a 1.0 metre clearance from the bottom of the stairs to the bumper of the vehicle to provide emergency access to the home.
• Proximity to intersections - The driveway cannot be located within 7.6 metres of an intersection.
• Landscaping – a boulevard parking application cannot be approved if the proposed parking space(s) will result in less than 50% of the private property portion of the front yard located being soft landscaping (lawn or gardens). If the application is denied for this reason, the Applicant may apply to the Committee of Adjustment for a minor variance to allow boulevard parking without meeting the City of Hamilton's Zoning By-law.
• City Trees - boulevard parking may not be approved if the proposed parking space is under the canopy of a City tree. If there is a City tree in the vicinity of the proposed driveway your application will be forward onto the Forestry Section and a Tree Permit may be required.

Applications must be submitted by the current property owner.

Download the Boulevard Parking Application(PDF, 259.83 KB)

You will also need to provide a drawing with these measurements (in metres):

• Location and dimensions of the proposed driveway;
• The width and length of the front porch and stairs;
• The width and length of any walkways;
• The distance from the front porch (or front of the house) to the City sidewalk; and
• The width of your property (from side property line to side property line).

Feel free to include any other measurements you believe would be helpful in identifying the location of the proposed parking space(s)

The drawing does not need to be drawn to scale or done professionally however it must have all required measurements in metres.

Property lines vary from street-to-street. To find the approximate location of your property line, visit: https://spatialsolutions.hamilton.ca/hamiltonmap/index.html

Note: Once the application is submitted, staff will confirm with you that all documents have been received. Processing of applications typically take 6 to 8 weeks after the application is received and may exceed this normal timeframe due to higher volume of applications.

Fee: There is a non-refundable application fee of $321 (subject to annual user fee increases).

There are two way to submit your application, drawing and fee:

You need to call 905-546-2489 to start the application process.

There is a one-time non-refundable processing fee effective January 1, 2022 of $403.00 including HST.

Once your application is submitted staff will contact you.

Once you receive approval from the City, you will be given:

• a quote to install a concrete driveway approach or culvert entrance

Do not put asphalt on the road to create or extend a driveway approach ramp. Putting any material on the roadway without authorization from the City is against Hamilton’s Streets By-law. You will be subject to a fine up to $5,000 and all costs for removing the material.

Follow these rules for driveway approach widths:

• Single vehicle driveway approaches are 4 metres (13 feet) wide.
• Multiple vehicle driveway approaches can be up to 8 metres (27 feet) wide.
• The standard width of a culvert platform entrance (not the pipe) is 6 metres (20 feet) for residential properties.
• Your driveway must be 0.91 metres (3 feet) away from a fire hydrant or hydro pole.
• The City of Hamilton has a 50% green space requirement under the Zoning By-law No. 05-200. You cannot pave your entire front yard.