Most Hamilton driveways that get replaced with interlock are asphalt that has heaved, cracked and been patched for a decade. Interlock fixes that only if what is under it is built for a car, not a patio. Here is what a paver driveway costs across Hamilton, how it should be built on our clay, and the City rules that decide how wide it can be.
2026 interlock driveway prices in Hamilton
| Driveway | Approx. area | Interlock, installed | Permeable pavers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single car | 300 sq ft | $7,200 - $12,600 | $8,400 - $14,400 |
| Standard two car | 600 sq ft | $14,400 - $25,200 | $16,800 - $28,800 |
| Long or wide two car | 900 sq ft | $21,600 - $37,800 | $25,200 - $43,200 |
The spread comes from the paver and the site. Standard 80 mm pavers sit at the bottom of the range; large-format, textured or tumbled stone and two-colour borders push to the top. Sites in the lower city with tight side yards and no room for a skid steer cost more to dig than an open Stoney Creek or Ancaster lot. A steep drive off the Mountain brow adds base depth and drainage work.
Common extras: removing old asphalt runs $1.50 to $2.75 per sq ft and old concrete $2.50 to $4.00, regrading so water runs away from the house $500 to $2,500, a trench drain across the garage apron $900 to $2,600, and a contrasting soldier course border $14 to $26 per linear foot. Sealing is optional, at $1.20 to $2.50 per sq ft from year two. Our driveway cost guide has the full line items.
How a Hamilton driveway should be built
Paver driveways fail from the bottom up. On Hamilton clay, a base that is too thin turns to soup every spring, the pavers rut under the tires and the edges spread. This is the spec we build to, and the one to ask for in writing on any quote:
| Layer | Driveway spec we build to |
|---|---|
| Excavation | 350 - 450 mm below finished grade |
| Geotextile | Over the clay subgrade, every time |
| Granular A base | 250 - 350 mm, compacted in 100 mm lifts |
| Bedding | 25 mm of HPB, never loose sand |
| Pavers | 80 mm vehicular pavers in a herringbone pattern |
| Edges | Heavy duty restraint spiked every 250 mm |
The patio spec, with half the base, is the most common reason for a sunk interlock driveway. If a quote is far below $24 per sq ft, ask how deep they dig. Before any digging, a free locate is required by law through Ontario Dig Authority; allow at least 5 business days.
Widening a driveway in Hamilton
Hamilton's Zoning By-law 05-200 sets the width for houses, semis and up to fourplexes:
- With an attached garage, the driveway can be as wide as the garage.
- If the garage is under 5.0 m wide, the driveway may go to 5.0 m, staying at least 0.6 m from the side lot line.
- With no attached garage, it can be no more than 50% of the lot width or 8.0 m, whichever is less.
- One driveway per home, or two on a lot 30 m or wider. Corner lots may have one on each street.
- At least 50% of the front yard has to stay landscaped. You cannot pave the whole thing.
Some properties in the former municipalities still fall under older zoning, so we check the parent by-law for your address before quoting a wider driveway.
The boulevard and the approach ramp
The strip between your property line and the road belongs to the City. To build or widen the access across it you need a Residential Driveway Access Permit, which costs $507 including HST and is not refunded if the request is refused. The City then quotes and builds the concrete approach ramp itself; homeowners cannot hire their own contractor for it. Typical ramps run $1,500 to $2,500 for a single and $2,000 to $3,500 for a double, at widths of 2.7 to 3.6 m and 5.4 to 6.1 m. Ramps are poured April to November, and applications after September 5 are scheduled for the following year. Do not pave onto the road to stretch an approach: the Streets By-law fine can reach $5,000 plus removal.
So the order on a widening is: confirm zoning, apply for the permit, then build the private part of the driveway to meet the new ramp.
Permeable pavers and the coming stormwater fee
Hamilton plans to start charging a stormwater fee in 2028, estimated at about $200 a year for a single detached home. Houses with six or fewer units will not get credits for it, so permeable pavers will not lower the fee. They can still qualify for the City's Rain Ready rebate for permeable surfaces, and they make sense on lots where water already pools at the garage. They cost about $4 to $6 more per sq ft.
Where we build in Hamilton
Lower city, the Mountain, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, Waterdown, Binbrook and Flamborough. Most driveways take 3 to 5 working days, plus curing and permit time.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an interlock driveway cost in Hamilton?
About $24 to $42 per sq ft installed in 2026, so $14,400 to $25,200 for a 600 sq ft two-car driveway, plus removal of the old surface.
Do I need a permit to widen my driveway in Hamilton?
Yes, to widen the access across the boulevard. The Residential Driveway Access Permit is $507 including HST and non-refundable, and the City builds the concrete approach ramp at your cost.
How wide can my driveway be in Hamilton?
No wider than an attached garage, or up to 5.0 m if the garage is narrower. With no attached garage, the lesser of 50% of the lot width or 8.0 m. At least half the front yard must stay landscaped.
Can I use my own contractor for the approach ramp?
No. In Hamilton the concrete approach ramp across the boulevard is built by the City only. Your contractor builds the driveway on your property up to it.
How deep should the base be under a paver driveway?
About 350 to 450 mm of excavation with 250 to 350 mm of compacted Granular A, geotextile over the clay and a 25 mm bedding layer. Patio depth is not enough for cars.
When should I apply for a driveway widening?
Early in the year. Applications received after September 5 are scheduled for the next construction season.