Building Permits in Hamilton
The permit guides and documents DocHub holds for building permits in Hamilton, each taken from the municipality’s own pages.
Permit guides
- Additional dwelling unit permitsA building permit is required for adding additional dwelling units (ADU Internal) and for additional dwelling units detached (ADU Detached).
- Deck and porch permitsA building permit is required for any-sized deck or porch (covered or uncovered) where it is attached to a building, and for a detached deck or porch depending on its size, its height above adjacent grade and whether it is covered.
- Residential accessory building permitsA building permit is required for a detached accessory structure (shed, garage, gazebo, carport) greater than 15 square metres where accessory to a detached house, semi-detached house or row house.
- Pool enclosure permitsYou do not need a Building Permit to install a swimming pool, however you do need a Building Permit to construct the pool enclosure (fence).
- Residential fencesYou do not need a Building Permit to construct a fence unless you are installing a swimming pool or replacing an existing pool enclosure (fence).
- Sign permitsHamilton’s Sign By-law No. 10-197 regulates all outdoor signs and advertising space; a temporary sign permit is required to display a temporary sign, and a sign permit is required before a permanent sign can be installed.
- Tent permitsTents require a Building Permit when the area of the structure exceeds 60 square metres or when the area of two or more tents exceeds 60 square metres.
- Building permits for small businessesYou will need a building permit if you make any changes to the structure of your building such as demolishing, altering the interior, or changing or expanding the use of a building.
Documents
Every building permit
- Acknowledgement for Concurrent Building Plan Review ProcessGuide
- Applicable Law ChecklistChecklist
- Application for a Permit to Construct or DemolishForm
- Application for Occupancy Permit – Multi-Unit Residential (More Than Two Units), Industrial, Commercial, InstitutionalForm
- Application for Occupancy Permit – Single Family, Semi-Detached, Townhouse (Row House), Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU)Form
- Energy Efficiency Design Summary Form for Performance & Other Acceptable Compliance MethodsForm
- Energy Efficiency Design Summary: Prescriptive MethodForm
- Exterior Waterproofing ChecklistChecklist
- Hamilton Building By-lawBy-law
- Lot Grading Certificate DeclarationForm
- Ontario Building Code Review & Administration ApplicationForm
- Owner's Undertaking Lot GradingForm
- Residential Mechanical Ventilation Design SummaryForm
- Schedule 1: Designer InformationForm
- Schedule 2: Sewage System Installer InformationForm
- Sizing of Water Service Pipe for Buildings Containing More than One Dwelling UnitForm
- Sizing of Water Service Pipe in a House Containing One Dwelling UnitForm
Houses
- By-law 19-286 – General Application RequirementsForm
- By-law No. 87-57: The Zoning By-law of the Town of AncasterBy-law
- City of Hamilton Development Charges Discretionary Deferral Program Application FormForm
- City of Hamilton Zoning By-law No. 6593By-law
- City of Stoney Creek Zoning By-law No. 3692-92By-law
- Consolidated By-law No. 24-072By-law
- Development Charge Instalment Declaration FormForm
- Development Charges Information PamphletFees
- Development Charges Interest Calculator ToolFees
- Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board Education Development Charges By-law No. 2024Fees
- Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Education Development Charges By-law No. 2024-1Fees
- Infill Information Notice Declaration FormForm
- Letter of Undertaking for the Construction of a Model Home in a Proposed Plan of SubdivisionForm
- Neighbourhood Infill Design GuidelinesGuide
- Planning Division Fee Intake MemoFees
- Planning Division Fees 2026Fees
- Site Alteration By-lawBy-law
- Site Alteration PermitForm
- Town of Dundas (Now City of Hamilton) Zoning By-law No. 3581-86By-law
- Town of Flamborough (Now City of Hamilton) Zoning By-law No. 90-145-ZBy-law
- Township of Glanbrook Zoning By-law No. 464By-law
- Zoning By-law 05-200By-law
Apartments & Stacked Townhouses
Additional Residential Units
Decks & Porches
Garages & Carports
Pools & Enclosures
Demolition
- Best Practices for the Reduction of Air Emissions From Construction and Demolition ActivitiesDocument
- Commitment to Disconnect ServicesForm
- Demolition Application ChecklistChecklist
- Owner Agreement Form – Demolition Permit Delegated Authority Approval for Residential PropertiesForm
- Rental Housing Demolition and Conversion ApplicationForm
- Rental Housing Demolition and Conversion Declaration of Use and Screening FormForm
- Rental Housing Demolitions and Conversions Guide to Applications for PermitGuide
- Rental Housing Protection By-lawBy-law
Tents & Temporary Structures
Plumbing & Drains
- A By-law Respecting the Prevention of Backflow into the Water Distribution System of the City of HamiltonBy-law
- A By-law to Regulate the Discharge of Any Matter into the Sewer Works, Including the Sanitary, Combined and Storm Sewer Systems of the City of HamiltonBy-law
- Sewer and Drain By-lawBy-law
- Sewer and Water Permit Process; Sewer and Water System Design RequirementsGuide
- Sewer Use By-law Assessment ReportBy-law
- Water Works By-lawBy-law