Zoning · Hamilton · Residential
R1a zone, Hamilton: Low Density Residential – Small Lot (R1a) Zone
Section 15.2 (Regulations 15.2.2.1 to 15.2.2.4) of the City of Hamilton Zoning By-law 05-200, as amended by 24-051, 25-155, 25-229.
A low-density residential zone for smaller lots that allows single detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex, fourplex and street townhouse homes, along with lodging houses, residential care facilities, retirement homes, child care centres, schools, community gardens and urban farms.
Is a property in the R1a zone? Enter its address and the lookup returns the zone and these standards, including any site-specific exception.
Check an addressWhat the R1a 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) | 270 m²270.0 m² for single detached, duplex, triplex, child care centre, educational establishment, lodging house, residential care facility and retirement home (15.2.2.1 a); 225.0 m² per dwelling unit for semi-detached (15.2.2.2 a); 180.0 m² per dwelling unit for street townhouse (15.2.2.3 a); 300 m² for fourplex (15.2.2.4 a). |
| Minimum lot width (interior lot) | 9 mMinimum lot width 9.0 m for single detached, duplex, triplex and the non-dwelling uses (15.2.2.1 b); 7.5 m per dwelling unit for semi-detached (15.2.2.2 b); 6.0 m minimum unit width per dwelling unit for street townhouse (15.2.2.3 b); 10.0 m for fourplex (15.2.2.4 b). |
| Minimum front yard | 4 m4.0 m minimum setback from the front lot line for all dwelling types (fourplex: from the street line). 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 (corner lot: within 10% of the setback of the adjacent dwelling sharing a side lot line), but never less than 0.5 m (not stated for street townhouse). |
| Minimum interior side yard | 1.2 m1.2 m from a side lot line. 6.0 m for an Educational Establishment (15.2.2.1 d ii). Semi-detached and street townhouse: 0 m permitted on the common-wall side. Fourplex: 1.2 m with a minimum aggregate of 3.5 m. |
| Minimum exterior side yard | 3 m |
| Minimum rear yard | 7.5 m |
| Maximum building height | 10.5 m |
| Minimum landscaped open space | 30 %Minimum landscaped area 30% for single detached, duplex, triplex, non-dwelling uses, semi-detached and fourplex; within the landscaped area Section 4.35 applies. Street townhouse: landscaped area in accordance with Section 4.35 a) and b) (no percentage stated in this section). |
| Minimum unit width | 6 mStreet townhouse dwelling only: minimum unit width 6.0 m for each dwelling unit (15.2.2.3 b). |
Other provisions in this section
- Prohibited use (15.2.1.1): an Educational Establishment consisting of a College or University (By-law 25-229).
- Front setback reduction (15.2.2.1 c ii, 15.2.2.2 c ii, 15.2.2.4 c ii): on lots identified on Figure 36 of Schedule F – Special Figures, a building may be erected within 10% of the average front/flankage setback of the two adjacent dwellings (corner lot: within 10% of the setback of the adjacent dwelling sharing a side lot line), but in no case less than 0.5 m from the front lot line.
- Educational Establishment: minimum side lot line setback 6.0 m instead of 1.2 m (15.2.2.1 d ii, By-law 25-229).
- Semi-detached and street townhouse dwellings: a 0 m side yard is permitted on the side of the common wall (15.2.2.2 d, 15.2.2.3 d).
- Fourplex dwelling: side lot line setback 1.2 m with a minimum aggregate of 3.5 m for both sides (15.2.2.4 d).
- Fourplex dwelling: 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) (15.2.2.4 i).
- Fourplex dwelling: amenity areas are not permitted in the side yard or on the rooftop (15.2.2.4 j).
- Fourplex dwelling: outdoor waste storage must be fully enclosed and not located in the front yard (15.2.2.4 k).
- Within the required landscaped area, the landscape requirements of Section 4.35 of the By-law apply (all dwelling types); street townhouses follow Section 4.35 a) and b).
Source: Section 15.2 (Regulations 15.2.2.1 to 15.2.2.4), 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, R1, R2, R3, R4, R4a, S1, TOC3