Zoning · Hamilton · Residential
R1 zone, Hamilton: Low Density Residential (R1) Zone
Section 15.1 (regulations in 15.1.2.1 to 15.1.2.4) of the City of Hamilton Zoning By-law 05-200, as amended by 24-051, 25-155, 25-229.
Hamilton's standard low-density residential zone, allowing single detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex, fourplex and street townhouse homes on typical city lots.
Is a property in the R1 zone? Enter its address and the lookup returns the zone and these standards, including any site-specific exception.
Check an addressWhat the R1 zone permits
- Child Care Centre
- Community Garden
- Duplex Dwelling
- Educational Establishment
- Fourplex Dwelling
- Lodging House
- Residential Care Facility
- Retirement Home
- Semi-Detached Dwelling
- Single Detached Dwelling
- Street Townhouse Dwelling
- Triplex Dwelling
- Urban Farm
Standards
| Requirement | By-law |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot area (interior lot) | 360 m²360.0 m2 for single detached, duplex, triplex, child care centre, educational establishment, lodging house, residential care facility, retirement home (15.1.2.1 a) and fourplex (15.1.2.4 a); semi-detached 270.0 m2 for each dwelling unit (15.1.2.2 a); street townhouse 180.0 m2 for each dwelling unit (15.1.2.3 a) |
| Minimum lot width (interior lot) | 12 mMinimum lot width 12.0 m for single detached/duplex/triplex and other 15.1.2.1 uses, and for fourplex (15.1.2.4 b); semi-detached 9.0 m for each dwelling unit (15.1.2.2 b); street townhouse has a minimum unit width of 6.0 m instead (15.1.2.3 b) |
| Minimum front yard | 4 m4.0 m from the front lot line for all dwelling types. Exception: for lots on Figure 36 of Schedule F, a building may be closer: within 10% of the average front/flankage setback of the two adjacent dwellings, or within 10% of the setback of the one adjacent dwelling; never less than 0.5 m (15.1.2.1/15.1.2.2/15.1.2.4 c) ii) |
| Minimum interior side yard | 1.2 m1.2 m from a side lot line. Educational establishment: 6.0 m (15.1.2.1 d) ii). Semi-detached and street townhouse: 0 m on the common-wall side (15.1.2.2 d, 15.1.2.3 d). Fourplex: 1.2 m with a minimum aggregate of 3.5 m for both sides (15.1.2.4 d) |
| Minimum exterior side yard | 3 m |
| Minimum rear yard | 7.5 m |
| Maximum building height | 10.5 m |
| Maximum lot coverage | See noteMaximum lot coverage 40% stated only for fourplex dwellings (15.1.2.4 h); no lot coverage maximum is stated for the other dwelling types in Section 15.1 |
| Minimum landscaped open space | 30 %Minimum landscaped area 30% for single detached/duplex/triplex and other 15.1.2.1 uses, semi-detached (15.1.2.2 h) and fourplex (15.1.2.4 i), with Section 4.35 applying within the landscaped area; street townhouse landscaped area is per Section 4.35 a) and b) with no percentage stated (15.1.2.3 h) |
| Minimum unit width | See noteMinimum unit width 6.0 m for each street townhouse dwelling unit only (15.1.2.3 b); not stated for other dwelling types |
Other provisions in this section
- Prohibited use: an Educational Establishment consisting of a College or University (15.1.1.1, By-law 25-229).
- Section 15.1.2.1 regulations cover single detached, duplex, triplex, child care centre, educational establishment, lodging house, residential care facility and retirement home; semi-detached (15.1.2.2), street townhouse (15.1.2.3) and fourplex (15.1.2.4) each have their own regulation table.
- Front setback reduction for lots on Figure 36 of Schedule F (Special Figures): within 10% of the average front/flankage setback of two adjacent dwellings on the same street, or within 10% of the one adjacent dwelling's front setback; in no case less than 0.5 m (single detached group, semi-detached, fourplex).
- Educational Establishment: minimum side lot line setback of 6.0 m instead of 1.2 m (15.1.2.1 d) ii).
- Semi-detached and street townhouse: side yard may be 0 m on the side of the common wall (15.1.2.2 d, 15.1.2.3 d).
- Fourplex: side setback 1.2 m with a minimum aggregate of 3.5 m for both side yards (15.1.2.4 d).
- Fourplex: maximum lot coverage 40% (15.1.2.4 h).
- Within the required landscaped area, the requirements of Section 4.35 apply (15.1.2.1 h, 15.1.2.2 h, 15.1.2.4 i); street townhouse landscaped area per Section 4.35 a) and b).
- Fourplex: a visual barrier is required along side lot lines and the rear lot line per Section 4.19; rear yard parking must comply with Section 4.35 d) (15.1.2.4 j).
- Fourplex: amenity areas are not permitted in the side yard or on the rooftop of the dwelling (15.1.2.4 k).
- Fourplex: outdoor waste storage must be fully enclosed and not located in the front yard (15.1.2.4 l).
Source: Section 15.1 (regulations in 15.1.2.1 to 15.1.2.4), By-law 05-200 (City of Hamilton), checked 2026-09-12. General provisions elsewhere in the by-law (parking, driveways, accessory buildings) also apply, and a numbered exception on the parcel can change any value here. Treat this as a pre-check, not a sign-off.
Other residential zones in Hamilton: D6, R1a, R2, R3, R4, R4a, S1, TOC3