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CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
15.6
MID RISE RESIDENTIAL - LARGE SCALE (R4a) ZONE
Explanatory Note: The intent of the R4s Zone is to permit a range of mid rise
residential housing types, including multiple dwellings, and multiple dwelling
townhouses as part of a comprehensive development, along arterial roads at the
periphery of neighbourhoods. Local commercial uses are permitted to serve the
residents of mixed use buildings and the surrounding neighbourhoods.
No person shall erect, or use any building in whole or in part, or use any land in
whole or in part, within a Mid Rise Residential (R4a) Zone for any purpose other
than one or more of the following uses or uses accessory thereto. Such erection
or use shall also comply with the prescribed regulations:
15.6.1
PERMITTED USES
Artist Studio
Commercial School
Community Garden
Craftsperson Shop
Child Care Centre
Educational Establishment
Financial Establishment
Lodging House
Medical Clinic
Multiple Dwelling
Multiple Dwelling Townhouse
Office
Personal Service
Place of Worship
Repair Service
Restaurant
Retail
Residential Care Facility
Retirement Home
Social Services Establishment
Tradesperson's Shop
Urban Farm
Veterinary Service
(By-law No. 25-229, December 10, 2025)
15.6.1.1 RESTRICTED USES
In addition to Section 15.6.1, the following
uses shall be permitted in accordance
with the following restrictions:
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
i)
The following uses shall only be
permitted as a Secondary use to a
Lodging House, Multiple Dwelling,
Residential Care Facility, or
Retirement Home and shall only be
permitted within the ground floor of a
building:
i.
Art Gallery
ii.
Commercial School
iii.
Craftsperson Shop
iv.
Child Care Centre
v.
Financial Establishment
vi.
Medical Clinic
vii.
Office
viii. Personal Service
ix.
Place of Worship
x.
Repair Service
xi.
Restaurant
xii.
Retail
xiii. Studio
xiv. Social Services Establishment
xv.
Tradesperson's Shop
xvi. Veterinary Service
ii) An Office shall be limited to a
maximum Gross Floor Area of 500.0
square metres per individual building.
iii) Multiple Dwelling Townhouse
1)
A Multiple Dwelling Townhouse
shall only be permitted on a lot
which contains a Lodging House,
Multiple Dwelling, Residential
Care Facility, or Retirement
Home which is greater than or
equal to 18.0 metres in height,
subject to the following
regulations:
A)
The aggregate Gross Floor
Area of all Multiple Dwelling
Townhouses shall not
exceed 40% of the
aggregate Gross Floor Area
of all uses on the lot.
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
2)
Section 15.6.1.1 iii) 1) A) shall
not apply to a Multiple Dwelling
Townhouse existing at the date
of passing of the By-law (October
8, 2025), provided there is no
increase in the number of
Dwelling Units within an existing
Multiple Dwelling Townhouse
building.
iv) Within the area identified on Figure 55 of
Schedule "F" - Special Figures of this By-
law, every Residential Care Facility shall
be situated on a lot having a minimum
radial separation distance of 300 metres
from any lot line of such lot, measured to
the lot line of any other lot occupied by a
Residential Care Facility.
(NOT FINAL AND BINDING, By-law No. 26-152, September 09,
2026)
15.6.1.2 PROHIBITED USES
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.1, the
following uses shall be prohibited, even as
an accessory use:
Drive-Through Facility
Educational Establishment consisting of a
College or University
(By-law No. 25-229, December 10, 2025)
15.6.2
REGULATIONS
15.6.2.1 EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT, LODGING HOUSE, MULTIPLE
DWELLING, RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY, AND RETIREMENT HOME
REGULATIONS
(By-law No. 25-229, December 10, 2025)
a) Minimum Lot Frontage
30.0 metres.
b) Minimum Setback from a
Street Line
i)
4.5 metres;
ii)
In addition to Section 15.6.2.1 b) i),
6.0 metres for any portion of a
building exceeding 14.0 metres in
height; and,
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
iii)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.1 b)
i), for lots identified on Figure 46 of
Schedule "F" - Special Figures of
this By-law, the minimum setback
from a Street Line shall be 3.0
metres.
c) Minimum Setback from a
Side Lot Line
i)
4.5 metres;
ii)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.1 c)
i), for lots identified on Figure 46
Schedule "F" - Special Figures of
this By-law, the minimum setback
from a side lot line shall be 3.0
metres and a minimum aggregate of
7.5 metres;
iii)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.1 c)
i) and ii), where windows of a
Habitable Room face a side lot line:
A)
7.5 metres; and,
B)
10.0 metres for any portion of
a building exceeding 14.0
metres in height.
iv)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.1 c)
i) and ii), where the lot line abuts a
lot in a Low Density Residential
(R1), Low Density Residential -
Small Lot (R1a), or Low Density
Residential - Large Lot (R2) Zone:
A)
7.5 metres; and,
B)
10.0 metres for any part of the
building exceeding 14.0 metres
in height.
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
d) Minimum Setback from the
Rear Lot Line
i)
10.0 metres;
ii)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.1 d)
i), when the rear lot line abuts a
laneway, the minimum setback from
the rear lot line shall be 7.5 metres;
and,
iii)
In addition to Section 15.6.2.1 d) i)
and ii), the minimum setback from
the rear lot line shall be 14.0 metres
for any portion of a building
exceeding 14.0 metres in height.
e) Maximum Building Height
i)
40.0 metres;
ii)
In addition to the definition of
Building Height in Section 3:
Definitions, any wholly enclosed or
partially enclosed amenity area, or
any portion of a building designed to
provide access to a rooftop amenity
area shall be permitted to project
above the uppermost point of the
building, subject to the following
regulations:
A)
The total floor area of the
wholly enclosed or partially
enclosed structure belonging
to an amenity area, or portion
of a building designed to
provide access to a rooftop
amenity area shall not exceed
10% of the floor area of the
storey directly beneath;
B)
The wholly enclosed or
partially enclosed amenity
area, or portion of a building
designed to provide access to
a rooftop amenity area shall be
setback a minimum of 3.0
metres from the exterior walls
of the storey directly beneath;
and,
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
C) The wholly enclosed or
partially enclosed amenity
area, or portion of a building
designed to provide access to
a rooftop amenity area shall
not be greater than 3.0 metres
in vertical distance from the
uppermost point of the building
to the uppermost point of the
rooftop enclosure.
f) Minimum Distance Between
Buildings on a Lot
i)
Between two exterior walls which
contain no windows to a Habitable
Room: 6.0 metres;
ii)
Between two exterior walls, at least
one of which contains windows to a
Habitable Room:
A)
For any portion of the building
equal to or less than 14.0
metres in height: 15.0 metres.
B)
For any portion of the building
exceeding 14.0 metres in
height: 20.0 metres.
g) Built Form for New
Development
In the case of buildings constructed after
the effective date of this By-law or
additions to buildings existing as of the
effective date of this By-law:
mechanical equipment shall be located
reened from view of any abutting street.
g or aisles shall be located between the
açade and a Street Line.
al entrances shall face the street and be
e from the building façade with direct
om the public sidewalk.
anding the definition of Planting Strip, a
shall be permitted where required by
) above.
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
m of 50% of the area of the ground floor
ntaining a use permitted in Section 15.6.1.1
comprised of clear glazed windows and
ndow and door frames, clear glazed
and sidelights, doors with at least 50%
ing, and a sill up to 0.6m in height are
to be included in the calculation of the
ed area. Signage and opaque/spandrel
hall not be included in the calculation of the
ed area.
e interior side yard, a walkway with a
width of 1.5 metres leading to a street shall
ed.
h) Minimum Amenity Area for a
Multiple Dwelling
On a lot containing more than 10 Dwelling
Units, the following minimum Amenity
Area requirements shall be provided
exclusively for the residential use and
shall be functionally separated from
public areas associated with any non-
residential use:
i)
5.0 square metres per Dwelling Unit,
subject to the following regulations:
A)
3.0 square metres shall be
outdoors on or above the
ground, at least 50% of which
shall be a contiguous area;
and,
B)
2.0 square metres shall be
indoors.
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
i) Planting Strip
i)
Where a property lot line abuts a
property lot line within a Low
Density Residential (R1), Low
Density Residential - Small Lot
(R1a), Low Density Residential -
Large Lot (R2), Neighbourhood
Institutional (I1) or Community
Institutional (I2) Zone, a minimum
3.0 metre wide Planting Strip shall
be provided and maintained, except:
ii)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.1 i)
i), for lots identified on Figure 46 of
Schedule "F" - Special Figures of
this By-law, where a property lot line
abuts a property lot line within a Low
Density Residential (R1), Low
Density Residential - Small Lot
(R1a), Low Density Residential -
Large Lot (R2), Neighbourhood
Institutional (I1), or a Community
Institutional (I2) Zone, a minimum
2.0 metre wide Planting Strip shall
be provided and maintained.
j) Visual Barriers
A visual barrier shall be required along any
lot line abutting a Residential Zone,
Institutional Zone, or Downtown (D5) Zone
line in accordance with the requirements of
Section 4.19 of this By-law.
k) Minimum Landscaped Area
i)
30% of the Lot Area;
ii)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.1 k)
i), for lots identified on Figure 46 of
Schedule "F" - Special Figures of
this By-law, the minimum
Landscaped Area shall be 15% of
the Lot Area.
iii)
Within the Landscaped Area, the
requirements of Section 4.35.2 of
this By-law shall apply.
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
l) Maximum Number of
Vehicular Accesses on a Lot
i)
Two access driveways;
ii)
In addition to Section 15.6.2.1 l) i),
one additional access driveway shall
be permitted for every 150.0 metres
of cumulative portions of any lot line
abutting a street.
m) Waste Storage
Outdoor waste storage shall be fully
enclosed and shall not be located in the
front yard.
15.6.2.2 MULTIPLE DWELLING TOWNHOUSE REGULATIONS
a) Unit Arrangement - Multiple
Dwelling Townhouse
Not more than eight (8) Dwelling Units
shall be attached in a continuous row.
b) Minimum Unit Width for each
Dwelling Unit
i)
6.0 metres where the Dwelling Unit
contains a garage; and,
ii)
5.0 metres where the Dwelling Unit
does not contain a garage.
c) Minimum Setback from a
Street Line
i)
4.0 metres;
ii)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.2 c)
i), for lots identified on Figure 46 of
Schedule "F" - Special Figures of
this By-law, a building may be
erected closer to the street line in
accordance with the following:
A)
Within 10 percent of the
average Street Line setback of
the two adjacent dwellings, or
in the case of a corner lot,
within 10 percent of the
setback from the Street Line of
the adjacent dwelling sharing a
common lot line; and,
B)
In no case shall the setback
from the Street Line be less
than 0.5 metres.
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
d) Minimum Setback from a
Side or Rear Lot Line
i)
Where the lot line abuts a lot in a
Low Density Residential (R1), Low
Density Residential - Small Lot
(R1a), Low Density Residential -
Large Lot (R2), Neighbourhood
Institutional (I1), or Community
Institutional (I2) Zone:
A)
For the first 25.0 metres
measured from the intersection
of the lot line and a street: 1.2
metres if the wall contains no
windows to a Habitable Room
and 7.5 metres if the wall
contains windows to a
Habitable Room; and,
B)
Beyond 25.0 metres measured
from the intersection of the lot
line and a street: 7.5 metres;
ii)
In all other cases:
A)
1.5 metres where the wall
contains no windows to a
Habitable Room; and,
B)
4.5 metres where the wall
contains windows to a
Habitable Room.
e) Minimum Distance Between
Buildings on a Lot
i)
Between two exterior walls which
contain no windows to a Habitable
Room: 3.0 metres;
ii)
Between two exterior walls, at least
one of which contains windows to a
Habitable Room: 6.0 metres; and,
iii)
Between two exterior walls, both of
which contain windows to a
Habitable Room: 12.0 metres.
f) Maximum Building Height
i)
13.5 metres;
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
ii)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.2 f)
i), portions of a building used
exclusively for providing access to a
rooftop amenity area and privacy
screens associated with a rooftop
amenity area may project above the
maximum permitted height by 3.0
metres, provided that any enclosed
access is located a minimum of 3.0
metres from the exterior walls of the
storey directly beneath.
g) Built Form for New
Development
In the case of buildings constructed after
the effective date of this By-law:
i)
Rooftop mechanical equipment
shall be located and/or
screened from view of any
abutting street;
h) Minimum Landscaped Area
i)
30% of the Lot Area;
ii)
Notwithstanding Section 15.6.2.2 h)
i), for lots identified on Figure 46 of
Schedule "F" - Special Figures of
this By-law, the minimum
Landscaped Area shall be 15% of
the Lot Area; and,
iii)
Within the Landscaped Area, the
requirements of Section 4.35.2 of
this By-law shall apply.
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
i) Minimum Amenity Area per
Dwelling Unit
i)
5.0 square metres per Dwelling Unit,
which may be provided in a
communal area, exclusive to the
Dwelling Unit or a combination of
both;
ii)
In addition to the definition of
Amenity Area, an Amenity Area
satisfying Section 15.6.2.2 i) i)
located outdoors shall be
unobstructed and shall be located at
or above the surface, and exposed
to light and air and may include
balconies and patios; and,
iii)
In addition to Section 15.6.2.2 i) i),
4.0 square metres per Dwelling Unit
which is located above another
Dwelling Unit or has a rear wall
attached to the rear wall of another
Dwelling Unit must be provided in
one or more communal areas each
having a minimum area of 20.0
square metres and which is located
entirely outdoors and on the surface
of the ground.
j) Location of Parking
No parking spaces shall be located
between a Façade and the Front Lot Line
or between the Façade and a Flankage
Lot Line, except that parking shall be
permitted on individual driveways leading
to garages forming part of a Dwelling
Unit.
k) Maximum number of
Vehicular Accesses on a Lot
i)
Two access driveways;
ii)
In addition to Section 15.6.2.2 k) i),
one additional access driveway shall
be permitted for every 150.0 metres
of cumulative portions of any lot line
abutting a street.
l) Pedestrian Accesses
Any Dwelling Unit adjacent to a yard
abutting a street must have a minimum of
one pedestrian entrance which is located
in a Façade.
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
m) Maximum Height of a
Principal Pedestrian
Entrance
The height of the floor level of any
principal pedestrian entrance shall be a
maximum of 1.2 metres above Grade.
n) Waste Storage
Outdoor waste storage shall be fully
enclosed and shall not be located in the
front yard.
15.6.3
SINGLE DETACHED, SEMI-
DETACHED, DUPLEX,
TRIPLEX, FOURPLEX AND
STREET TOWNHOUSE
DWELLINGS EXISTING AT
THE DATE OF THE PASSING
OF THE BY-LAW (October 8,
2025)
i)
In addition to Section 4.12 j) and in
accordance with Section 34(10) of
the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990,
c.P.13, an addition or alteration to a
Single Detached, Semi-Detached,
Duplex, Triplex, Fourplex and Street
Townhouse Dwelling, not permitted
by the By-Law but legally existing at
the date of the passing of the By-
Law, that increases the volume or
size of the building shall be
permitted as follows:
Nothing in this section shall prevent
the enlargement, extension, or
alteration of an existing building or
structure, provided that:
The increase shall not exceed a
maximum of 10% of the Gross Floor
Area of the building existing at the
date of passing of the By-law; and,
The existing side yard and front yard
setbacks are maintained for the
addition.
15.6.4
REGULATIONS FOR
COMMUNITY GARDENS AND
URBAN FARMS AS
ACCESSORY USES
a) Urban Farms
i)
In accordance with the requirements
of Subsection 4.26 (c) of this By-
law.
ii)
In addition to i) above, an Urban
Farm shall only be permitted in the
Rear Yard or on the roof-top of the
principal building.
CITY OF HAMILTON
ZONING BY-LAW
SECTION 15: RESIDENTIAL ZONES
October 08, 2025
b) Community Gardens
i)
In accordance with the requirements
of Section 4.27 of this By-law.
ii)
In addition to i) above, a Community
Garden shall only be permitted in
the Rear Yard or on the roof-top of
the principal building.
(By-law No. 25-189, October 08, 2025)