Services
Services in Hamilton
What City of Hamilton runs, and how to reach it, from its own pages.
New to Hamilton? Your moving-in checklist
Set up water, electricity and gas before you move in, since each needs notice. In your first week, find your waste collection day and your ward, and sort out parking and pets; then get a library card, a PRESTO card and, if you have children, register them for school.
Garbage, recycling and green bin in Hamilton
The City of Hamilton collects garbage, bulk items, the green bin and leaf and yard waste; since 1 January 2026 the Blue Box has been run by Circular Materials, with GFL Environmental collecting it. You can put out one bag or can of garbage a week without a tag. Find your collection day with the City's online schedule or the Recycle Coach app, and expect pickup a day later in holiday weeks.
- Who collects garbage and recycling in Hamilton?
- What day is garbage collection in Hamilton?
- What happens to collection on holidays?
- My recycling was not collected. Who do I call?
- How much garbage can I put out?
- How do trash tags work?
- How do I get rid of a couch or a mattress?
- What goes in the green bin?
- Who decides what goes in the Blue Box now?
- How do I put out yard waste?
Property tax in Hamilton: 2026 rates and due dates
Hamilton's residential tax rate is the sum of city-wide rates (municipal 0.612 per cent, provincially shared services 0.201, police 0.244 and education 0.153) plus area rates for transit, fire and other services that depend on where you live. In 2026 that totals 1.557 per cent for an urban Hamilton home with full-time fire service. The 2026 budget raised the average residential tax bill 3.87 per cent, about $209.
Who do I call in Hamilton?
Almost everything municipal in Hamilton, from roads and potholes to water, waste, by-law and HSR trip planning, starts at the City's line, 905-546-2489 (905-546-CITY), on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the same number takes after-hours emergencies involving roads, water mains and sewers. The police non-emergency line is 905-546-4925; for an emergency, call 911.
- How do I reach the City of Hamilton?
- Something is urgent and it is after hours. Who answers?
- How do I report a pothole?
- Who do I call about water or sewers?
- How do I make a by-law complaint?
- Who do I contact about the HSR?
- What is the police non-emergency number?
- How do I reach the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board?
- How do I reach the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board?
Parking in Hamilton: street rules and permits
In Hamilton you may park on a street wherever it is permitted, and posted signs show any restrictions. Unsigned streets are still subject to by-laws that are not posted, including a 12-hour limit on all City streets and a ban on parking on designated through streets from 2 to 7 a.m. every day. Residents of signed permit zones can buy annual permits.
Snow clearing in Hamilton: roads and sidewalks
Hamilton plows main routes and escarpment accesses first, then collector roads, then neighbourhood streets, with target completion times from 4 hours for major roads to 24 hours for residential and rural roads after a winter event ends. Property owners or occupants must clear the sidewalk beside their property within 24 hours after a snow event, unless it is on the City's sidewalk clearing route.
Hamilton's noise by-law: hours, permits, complaints
Hamilton's Noise Control By-law No. 11-285 says no one may make or permit an unreasonable noise or a noise likely to disturb the city's inhabitants, at any hour. Some noises are deemed disturbing outright, including construction or loading clearly audible at a neighbouring property between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. To complain, call Municipal Law Enforcement at 905-546-2782 on weekdays or 905-546-2489 (905-546-CITY) after hours.
- What noise is against the by-law in Hamilton?
- What hours can construction be noisy?
- Is loud music from a house or a car against the by-law?
- Are there limits on recreational engines like model planes or ATVs?
- What other noises are deemed disturbing?
- What noise is exempt without a permit?
- Can I get permission to make more noise for a party, event or construction job?
- How do I report a noise complaint in Hamilton?
- How do I complain about a barking dog?
- What are the penalties for breaking the noise by-law?
Hamilton permits: decks, sheds, fences and pools
In Hamilton a building permit is needed for most construction, including additions, basement finishing, attached decks and sheds over 15 square metres, and permits are applied for and paid online through the City's Customer Portal at my.hamilton.ca. Fences need no permit unless they enclose a pool, but the Fence By-law limits their height. By-law complaints go to Municipal Law Enforcement at 905-546-2782.
- What work needs a building permit in Hamilton?
- What work does not need a building permit?
- Do I need a permit for a shed or detached garage?
- Do I need a permit to build a deck or porch?
- What happens if I build without a permit?
- Do I need a permit to build a fence?
- How high can a fence be near the street or driveway?
- Does my neighbour have to share the cost of a fence?
- Do I need a permit for a swimming pool?
- How do I apply for a building permit?
- How much does a building permit cost?
- How do I book a building inspection?
- How do I report a by-law problem?
- What do the yard and property standards by-laws require?
Trees in Hamilton: what the rules protect
Hamilton has no single city-wide by-law for trees on private property: private trees are protected by by-laws in Ancaster, Dundas and Stoney Creek and in woodlots, while in the former City of Hamilton no private tree by-law currently applies. Every City-owned tree, including street trees on the road allowance, is protected by the Public Tree By-law 15-125, and any work that may affect one needs a public tree permit.
- How do I know if a tree is mine or the City's?
- Who can tell me whether a boundary tree belongs to the City?
- Does Hamilton have a private tree by-law?
- Which by-laws protect private trees, and where?
- What does the Urban Woodland By-law protect?
- Is Hamilton planning a city-wide private tree by-law?
- What if a private tree is dead or dangerous?
- What can't I do to a City-owned tree?
- Do I need a permit to work near a City tree?
- What are the fines for damaging a City tree?
- Will the City prune or remove the tree in front of my house?
- Can I ask for a free street tree?
Utilities in Hamilton: water, hydro, gas and stormwater
The City of Hamilton provides water and wastewater service and, since April 2026, bills it directly through Hamilton Utilities Billing (HUB); you start or stop water service on my.hamilton.ca with at least seven business days' notice. Electricity is delivered by Alectra Utilities (the City notes some accounts are with Hydro One) and natural gas service is set up with Enbridge Gas. A separate stormwater fee starts in 2028.
- Who supplies and bills my water in Hamilton?
- How do I open or close a water account when I move?
- Can a tenant have the water account in their own name?
- What should I do about water when I buy a home in Hamilton?
- How do I pay my water bill or set up automatic payments?
- Who do I call about water quality or a leak?
- Who supplies electricity in Hamilton?
- Is any of Hamilton served by Hydro One instead?
- How do I start electricity service with Alectra when I move in?
- How do I set up natural gas service at my new address?
- Is Hamilton bringing in a stormwater fee?
- Can I get money back for managing rainwater at home?
Hamilton wards and City Council: how it works
Hamilton City Council is the Mayor and one councillor for each of the City's 15 wards, all elected by residents for a four-year term. Since July 1, 2023 the Mayor has had strong mayor powers under the Municipal Act, 2001, and Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The next municipal election is on Monday, October 26, 2026.
- How is Hamilton City Council made up?
- Which ward am I in?
- How do I contact my councillor?
- How do I contact the Mayor's Office?
- What are strong mayor powers in Hamilton?
- Can Council override the Mayor?
- Where are the Mayor's decisions published?
- When does Hamilton City Council meet?
- Where do I find agendas, minutes and meeting video?
- Can I watch Council and committee meetings live?
- How do I speak at a committee meeting?
- How do I send written comments to Council or a committee?
- Can I ask to speak to City Council directly?
- When is Hamilton's 2026 municipal election?