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Planning & Development
# Zoning
Thanksgiving Weekend: What's Open & Closed
* Planning & Development
* Zoning
* Inclusionary Zoning
* Interactive Zoning Mapping
* Remnant Zones Project
* Residential Zones Project
* Zoning By-law 05-200
* Zoning By-laws for the Former Communities
* Zoning Compliance Review
Related Content
* Zoning Verification Report Application
Explore Open Data
Download, filter or view zoning boundaries in Hamilton in open format.
Visit open.hamilton.ca
## What is a Zoning By-law?
A Zoning By-law regulates the use of land. It contains zones for agricultural, residential, institutional, commercial and mixed uses, industrial and parks and open space zones.
### What zoning means for your property & community
Originally zoning was used as a tool to protect the health and safety of a community. Zoning would ensure that conflicting land uses were separated such as heavy industry from residential areas. While zoning still serves this purpose today, there is a greater focus on creating mixed use communities and providing enough flexibility through zoning to encourage vibrant holistic places. The Zoning By-law implements the City of Hamilton's long range land use plan known as the Official Plan.
### Find the Zoning for a Property
To find zoning information for a specific property, use our interactive zoning mapping.
### Inclusionary Zoning
Planning tool for municipalities that requires a certain percentage of affordable units to be included in market rate housing development.
### Remnant Zones Project
The City is working to incorporate the remaining "remnant" properties into the city-wide Zoning By-law, beginning with remnant commercial zones.
### Residential Zones Project
Creating consistent residential zones across the entire urban area of Hamilton.
### Zoning By-law 05-200
The City's Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 05-200 came into effect on May 25, 2005, and is being implemented in stages.
### Zoning By-laws for the Former Communities
For most of the properties in the former municipalities, the zoning is regulated by Zoning By-law No. 05-200.The residential zones are regulated by the Zoning By-laws from each former community.
### Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA)
The Zoning By-law regulates the use of land. If an owner wants a property changed that deviates the permitted uses or regulations, a ZBA is required.
### Zoning Verification Report Application
Request an official document of the recognized use of the property to confirm the intended used is permitted.
### Zoning Compliance Review
Request a review of your proposed development for Zoning By-law compliance prior to application.
**The purpose of Hamilton's Zoning By-laws is to:**
* implement the objectives and policies of the Urban Hamilton Official Plan and the Rural Hamilton Official Plan
* provide a legal way of managing land use and future development
* ensure development occurs in a responsible manner
* determine the kind of use that is suitable for a particular area
Date modified
April 07, 2026