Planning Applications
Site Plan Approval
Design Review Panel
A voluntary technical panel that will provide expert and impartial design advice and guidance to Planning staff on urban design matters of development within Design Priority Areas.
A site plan approval is a required process that you must follow for most developments including major building renovations or additions.
The purpose of a site plan approval is to review site design features and coordinate the:
- High quality building design
- Impact of the proposal on surrounding land uses
- Placement of buildings
- Overall site design
- Landscaping
- Pedestrian movement and barrier-free design
- Grading, drainage and storm water management
- Parking, loading layout, vehicular access and maneuvering
Site plan approval ensures City of Hamilton design requirements are met concerning site layout, street widening, parking, drainage and landscaping improving the quality and appearance of the development.
When to get Final Site Plan Approval?
Hamilton is designated as a site plan control area. You will need final site plan approval before applying for a building permit for major building renovations, additions or for new construction related to these land use types: Industrial, Institutional, Commercial, Multiple residential and Agricultural greenhouses.
Policies and Guides to Prepare Site Plan Application
- Official Plan - Review land use policies related to your site.
- Zoning By-law - Review Zoning by-law regulations and other by-laws and obtain a Zoning Compliance Review.
- Green Building Standards - Review requirements for Part 3 and Part 9 buildings
- Urban Design Standards & Guidelines - Review City’s design direction explaining City’s OP policies and vision.
- Terms of Reference/Guidelines - Find guidelines for preparation of specific Studies and Reports required.
Technical Standards to Prepare Site Plan Application
How to Apply Online for Site Plan Approval
The site plan control process usually takes four to six weeks from the time you submit your application to the time you receive conditional site plan approval. The amount of time required to get final site plan approval will vary depending on whether there are any major design issues to resolve and on how quickly you satisfy all pre-building permit conditions.
Before submitting a Site Plan control Application, a Formal Consultation is recommended. The Formal Consultation process is no longer mandatory and is at the discretion of the Applicant.
The purpose of a Formal Consultation is to review the proposal, identify key issues, and to confirm required information and submission materials for a complete Site Plan Control Application.
Design Review Panel
The Design Review Panel is generally limited to complex Zoning By-law Amendments and Site Plan applications in the following Design Priority Areas:
- Downtown Hamilton Secondary Plan Area
- Areas of Major Change and Corridors of Gradual Change within Setting Sail Secondary Plan Area
- Any other large scale project that has the potential to significantly impact the physical environment functionally and aesthetically.
Applications subject to the DRP will be identified at the Formal Consultation stage including any additional submission requirements.
If an Applicant chooses not to proceed with the Formal Consultation process, the submission requirements as set out in the Official Plan must be met. Refer to the new Official Plan Schedule - Other Information and Materials:
- Urban Hamilton Official Plan - Schedule I
- Rural Hamilton Official Plan - Schedule H
- Regional Hamilton OP - Schedule I
Download Site Plan Application Form
Are you eligible for fee exemptions? Are you applying for New Non-Profit Affordable Housing?
Download Non-Profit Affordable Housing Fee Exemption Application Form
All applications are required to be submitted in electronic format via the City of Hamilton’s Customer Portal. If you require alternate arrangements, contact the Planning Division at 905-546-2424 ext. 1355 or [email protected] for assistance.
Application fees must be made upon submission or the application is deemed incomplete. Fees are non-refundable.
Refer to the Planning Division Fees page for a complete list of application fees.
Review fees for other external agencies (Conservation Authority, Hamilton International Airport) may be applicable, and the applicant shall contact each agency for confirmation of their fees. Refer to the Application Form for more information.
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 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 into my.hamilton.ca/, select the Planning and Development Applications category to create your Customer Portal account.
- This completes your setup and allows you to submit your first application.
If you already have:
- a my.hamilton.ca account, and
- a Customer Portal account,
Visit my.hamilton.ca/ and select the Planning and Development Applications category to submit additional applications or manage existing ones.
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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