Hamilton bathroom permit: when you need one and what to submit
The short answer
Not for fixtures replaced in the same spot. New or moved plumbing needs a permit. City fee: Minimum $291.
Last verified 2026-10-07 · City of Hamilton: Building permit application requirements, City of Hamilton: Building permit fees- City fee
- Minimum $291
- Where to apply
- City of Hamilton customer portal (my.hamilton.ca)
No per-fixture fee is listed; when no floor area is added, the schedule charges 1% of the value of the work.
What an application usually includes
Hamilton’s checklist has the exact list; apply through City of Hamilton customer portal (my.hamilton.ca).
- A plumbing layout: fixtures, drains, vents and the tie-in to the stack
- The fixture count for the fee
- A floor plan if walls or openings change
Local quirks
- Hamilton wants permits for jobs many cities skip: replacing deck or stair railings, damp-proofing foundation walls, sump pumps, and new drywall and insulation.
- The part of a pool fence between the house and the pool has to be see-through, so the pool can be seen from the house.
- Fake permit-fee invoices have been going around. Real City messages come only from @hamilton.ca addresses.
Design your Hamilton bathroom to the Building Code.
The design, drawings and code checks work in Hamilton today. Hamilton’s own forms aren’t built in yet, so you’ll fill those in on the City’s portal.