Zoning · Hamilton · Institutional
S3 zone, Hamilton: Settlement Institutional (S3) Zone
Section 12.5 (12.5.1 Permitted Uses, 12.5.2 Prohibited Uses, 12.5.3 Regulations) of the City of Hamilton Zoning By-law 05-200, as amended by 15-173, 18-219, 21-070, 21-189, 25-155.
A zone in Hamilton's rural settlement areas for community institutions such as schools, libraries, places of worship and child care centres, with limited agriculture and community gardens also allowed.
Is a property in the S3 zone? Enter its address and the lookup returns the zone and these standards, including any site-specific exception.
Check an addressWhat the S3 zone permits
- Agriculture (restricted per 12.5.1.1 to growing of crops, apiaries, agro-forestry and maple syrup production)
- Child Care Centre
- Community Garden
- Educational Establishment
- Library
- Place of Worship
- Uses accessory to the above
Standards
| Requirement | By-law |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot area (interior lot) | 4000 m² |
| Minimum lot width (interior lot) | 30 m |
| Minimum front yard | 6 m |
| Minimum interior side yard | 3 m |
| Minimum exterior side yard | 3 m |
| Minimum rear yard | 7 m |
| Maximum building height | 10.5 m |
Other provisions in this section
- Minimum lot area is stated as 0.4 hectares (12.5.3 a).
- Maximum lot area for a Place of Worship: 2.0 hectares (12.5.3 b).
- Minimum side yard of 3.0 m is a single value; the by-law does not distinguish interior from exterior/flankage side yards in this zone (12.5.3 e).
- Agricultural uses are limited to growing of crops, apiaries, agro-forestry and maple syrup production (12.5.1.1, By-law 21-189).
- Accessory buildings must comply with Section 4.8 of the By-law (12.5.3 h, By-law 21-070).
- Parking must comply with Section 5 of the By-law (12.5.3 i).
- Community gardens must comply with Section 4.27 of the By-law (12.5.3 j, By-law 21-189).
- Prohibited in Vulnerable Area 1 (Schedule F, Figures 5.0-5.3): waste disposal sites under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act involving mine tailings storage/treatment/discharge, land farming of petroleum refining waste, PCB waste storage, application of untreated septage to land, injection of liquid waste into a well, or hazardous waste storage; snow storage facilities greater than 1 ha; motor vehicle service stations; motor vehicle collision repair establishments (12.5.2 a).
- Prohibited in Vulnerable Area 2 (Schedule F, Figures 5.0-5.3): waste disposal sites involving injection of liquid waste into a well; waste disposal facilities (12.5.2 b).
- Prohibited in Vulnerable Area 3 (Schedule F, Figure 5.0): waste disposal sites involving application of untreated septage to land (12.5.2 c).
Source: Section 12.5 (12.5.1 Permitted Uses, 12.5.2 Prohibited Uses, 12.5.3 Regulations), 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.