Planning Department.
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Use the City of Hamilton Zoning Ordinance to find detailed information about zoning districts, permitted land uses, land and setbacks, exterior building design requirements.
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Use the Zoning Map to find the zoning of a property.
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Planning has a new online application portal. Please use the application link to access the Planning applications.
Note: You will need to create a new account (it’s free) if you have not used the online application portal before.
If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at 513-785-7350 or planning@hamilton-oh.gov.
PDF applications can be provided upon request.
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All board meetings are Public Hearings - Open to the Public.
Use the links below to access the various Planning Board webpages for more information. This includes Meeting Agendas, Applications, Cases, & Public Hearings for upcoming board meetings.
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Phone: (513) 785-7350 | Email: planning@hamilton-oh.gov
Address: 345 High Street, Hamilton OH 45011 (Suite #350, Third Floor)
Planning Board Meeting Dates & Agendas
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Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is responsible for reviewing rezoning requests, text amendments, conditional use permits, planned unit developments, preliminary and final subdivision plats, street and alley vacations as well as street name changes. Recommendations are then forwarded to City Council for final action.
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Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)
The Board of Zoning Appeals is responsible for hearing and deciding appeals and variances to the City of Hamilton Zoning Ordinance.
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Architectural Design Review Board (ADRB)
The Architectural Design Review Board is responsible for reviewing and approving/denying exterior work projects on buildings and structures located within one of the City’s historic districts or on sites within the city that have historical significance.
Director of Planning: Lauren Nelson
Reports to Liz Hayden, Executive Director of Neighborhood Services
Department Mission
To foster a sustainable, healthy, safe, and well-planned City. Through purposeful planning, effective enforcement, and meaningful activities, the Planning Department works to support and encourage strong neighborhoods, quality opportunities, and a safe environment. The Planning Department protects Hamilton’s stakeholders through determining the highest and best use of land resources.
Department Description
The Planning Department is involved in community development, land use management, and a wide variety of other planning-related tasks. The Planning Department is responsible for developing and implementing the Comprehensive Plan and other long-range planning initiatives. The Planning Department is also responsible for zoning compliance, including rezoning, conditional uses and change of occupancy, and the administration of the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Architectural Design Review Board. Additionally, this department works to review alley/street vacations, lot/split combinations, and community research/demographics.
Quick Helpful Links:
FAQs
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Due diligence and research is highly advised before buying a property or signing a lease. (It is alsa encourageh to have a title search performed by a private party.)
Below are a few departments to consider contacting before proceeding further with a project.
Building Department - Building Code issues; Submission requirements; any building violations on the property.
Planning Department - Zoning of the property (can you do what you want with the property or not? Any special conditions?).
Engineering Department - Existing utilities; how to tap into utilities; driveway and/or parking lot requirements.
Economic Development - If you are a potential business having trouble finding a property that might suit your needs. Or if it is a City-Owned property you are interested in.
Resident Services - Outstanding property maintenance violations and code compliance invoices.
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The auditor’s listing of land use is for the County’s assessment of the property and their own purposes. It is NOT an indication of the zoning of the property.
Please contact Planning for clarification and any specific questions.
You can also use the Interactive Zoning Map to determine the zoning district of a property in the city.
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These advertise upcoming public hearings concern properties at one of the three Planning Boards. Please contact the Planning Department 513 785-7350 for further details, or review the Planning Board websites above.
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For properties in a historic district or part of the historic inventory any exterior changes (paint, windows, siding, gutters, and others) require a Certificate of Appropriateness Application (COA Application). For more information on the process please review the Architectural Design Review Board website.
Do not perform exterior work on a property until you have consulted with the ADRB Secretary. All exterior work must have a COA (Certificate of Appropriateness).
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Use the Interactive Zoning Map to look up your address with the floodplain layer selected.
Please contact the Floodplain Manager, AJ Schweier for more information regarding the floodplain.
Email: AJ.Schweier@hamilton-oh.gov
Phone: (513) 785-7373
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To report suspected zoning violations please use the City’s 311 system for accurate reporting. [MyHamilton 311]
Or: https://www.hamilton-oh.gov/myhamilton
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You would need to contact a private land surveyor for a survey of your property, including lot combinations or lot splits. The City of Hamilton does not perform surveys of properties in the city.
A listing of known land surveyors can be found [Here].
Please note that list does not constitute a recommendation of any surveyor, business, or entity.
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