Regional Plan Review

Halifax Regional Council will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Regional Plan and amendment package, including Minimum Planning Requirements, on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in Council Chamber (Halifax City Hall) - 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS. The hearing will continue on additional dates as necessary.

To read the staff report, please see the June 19, 2025 Special Regional Council agenda.

If you have questions about the proposed Regional Plan or amendment package, please contact regionalplan@halifax.ca.

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How to participate in the public hearing 

You may speak in person or virtually, and/or submit written comments.

For virtual speakers: Pre-registration is required. Please register by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Email clerks@halifax.ca or phone 902.490.4210 to pre-register.

For in-person speakers: Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged due to the potentially high number of speakers. Email clerks@halifax.ca or phone 902.490.4210 to pre-register. Registration is open until the end of the Regional Council meeting on Thursday, June 19, 2025. If the Public Hearing continues on additional dates, only those people in attendance on June 19, 2025, and whose names have been added to the speakers’ list by the Clerk are eligible to speak at the continuation of the Public Hearing.

All visitors to Halifax City Hall must sign-in at the security desk, located at the main entrance (Grand Parade). Visitors who use the accessible entrance on Argyle Street will be escorted to the security desk by staff. All visitors must present federal, provincial, or territorial government-issued photo ID to security, or show a combination of two pieces of government-issued IDs or documentation (e.g. bills) as long as they both include their first and last names.

Written comments: Written comments must be received by the Municipal Clerks Office by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Email clerks@halifax.ca or see the link below for mail and fax options: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/regional-council/public-hearing-regional-plan.

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SUMMARY

The Halifax Regional Municipality has undertaken a comprehensive review of the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy along with all other planning documents including the Regional Subdivision By-Law and all Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-Laws.

The 2014 Regional Municipal Planning Strategy (2014 Regional Plan) is proposed to be repealed, and a new Regional Plan (2025 Proposed Regional Plan) is proposed to be adopted. To implement the 2025 Proposed Regional Plan, amendments are proposed to the following planning documents:

• Regional Subdivision By-Law
• Beaver Bank, Hammonds Plains and Upper Sackville Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Bedford Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Planning District 5 (Chebucto Peninsula) Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Cole Harbour/Westphal Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Dartmouth Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Eastern Passage/Cow Bay Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Eastern Shore (East) Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Eastern Shore (West) Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Halifax Mainland Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Downtown Halifax Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Planning Districts 8 & 9 (Lake Echo/Porters Lake) Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Lawrencetown Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Musquodoboit Valley/Dutch Settlement Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• North Preston, Lake Major, Lake Loon, Cherry Brook and East Preston Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Planning District 4 (Prospect) Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Sackville Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Sackville Drive Secondary Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Suburban Housing Accelerator Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Planning Districts 14 & 17 Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Planning Districts 1 & 3 (St. Margaret’s Bay) Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law
• Timberlea/Lakeside/Beechville Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-Law

SYNOPSIS OF CHANGES

REGIONAL PLAN: Halifax Regional Council intends to consider repealing the 2014 Regional Plan and adopting a new Regional Plan. The 2025 Proposed Regional Plan will represent a new planning framework to guide growth and development in the municipality through a set of policies and regulations that will support goals of building healthy complete communities and a sustainable future. The following is a synopsis of the 2025 Proposed Regional Plan.

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Introduces the plan and provides historical and planning context.
• Sets out the Plan’s Vision, Guiding Principles, regional planning framework, and identifies the Municipality’s response to the Statements of Provincial Interest and the Minimum Planning Requirements.

Chapter 2: Planning for the Region:

• Envisions that the municipality will grow to be a region supporting one million people.
• Establishes the Regional Land Use Structure (Map 1), including six general land use designations and two sub-designations:
  • Open Space and Natural Resource Designation
  • Urban Settlement Designation
  • Urban Reserve Designation
  • Rural Commuter Designation
  • Rural Resource Designation
  • Agricultural Designation
  • Business/ Industrial Park Sub-Designation
  • Halifax Harbour Sub-Designation
• Establishes the Community Planning framework around sub-regional geographies (Map 2): the Urban Area, which includes the Regional Centre and Suburban Area; and the Rural Area. The Plan recognizes boundaries may be adjusted as work proceeds through the Community Planning programs.
• Provides direction to prioritize safe, sustainable, and affordable housing.
• Establishes a strategic growth target directing at least 75% of new housing growth to the Urban Area where municipal water, wastewater, and transit services are currently available.
• Establishes a program to regularly monitor data to inform reviews and amendments to the Plan, Community Plans, and supporting planning documents or studies.
• Sets intent to direct future growth strategically and develop a Strategic Growth and Infrastructure Priorities Plan to provide a framework for future long-range growth and infrastructure investment.

Chapter 3: Building Healthy and Complete Communities

• Establishes the Vision and Guiding Principles for the Regional Centre, Suburban Area and Rural Areas.
• Establishes the Suburban Community Planning program and the intent to adopt a Suburban Plan.
• Identifies growth areas in the Regional Centre and Suburban Area where significant development will be directed to develop complete communities aligned with transit and other services (Map 3).
• Sets out the process and consideration criteria for major new serviced development in Future Serviced Communities.
• Establishes the Rural Community Planning Program and the intent to adopt a Rural Plan.
• Identifies Rural Growth and Rural Local Centres for future development and service provision, to be refined through the Rural Community Planning program (Map 4).

Identifies technical studies required to support planning for Rural Area services and mobility.

Chapter 4: Strengthening Community Infrastructure

• Identifies community infrastructure as essential to building communities and provides direction to plan and direct investment at a variety of scales.
• Establishes considerations for park planning processes for regional wilderness parks including Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes (Map 5), Sandy Lake, Shaw Wilderness Park and McIntosh Run.
• Sets intent to develop a Parks and Outdoor Facilities Priorities Plan and an Indoor Recreation Facilities Priorities Plan.
• Identifies the need to ensure equitable access to facilities and services and to coordinate planning with all relevant services providers as part of the Strategic Growth and Infrastructure Priorities Plan.
• Identifies the importance of household food security and establishes policies to remove barriers in land use by-laws.

Chapter 5: Fostering Diverse and Affordable Housing

• Recognizes that housing affordability and availability are critically important, and that the municipality’s current housing shortage is an urgent priority.
• Supports removing barriers to housing and increasing housing supply in community plans and land use by-laws through a range of amendments and initiatives including:
  • Allowing more diverse housing types in residential areas;
  • Permitting gentle density and missing middle housing;
  • Enabling adaptive reuse;
  • Removing required parking regulations; and
  • Enabling and expediting modular housing, factory built housing, and mass timber construction housing.
• Supports municipal efforts to increase housing affordability by directing consideration of municipal initiatives including:
  • Inclusionary zoning;
  • Incentive or bonus zoning;
  • Consideration of no net loss/rental replacement;
  • Municipal surplus land and grants for affordable housing;
  • Regulating short term rentals; and
  • Partnering with other levels of government, non-profit organizations, and private sector housing providers.

Chapter 6: Protecting the Environment and Acting on Climate

• Establishes an objective to adopt development practices that sustain and nourish critical environmental assets and reduce negative impacts to surrounding areas.
• Supports the consideration of the Halifax Green Network Plan and HalifACT when preparing the Municipality’s business plans and programs.
• Requires the creation of a program to consider maintaining or improving connectivity through ecological corridors.
• Recognizes the Municipality’s efforts to promote and manage natural assets through naturalization initiatives and the Urban Forest Management Plan.
• Sets direction to protect municipal water resources through a range of initiatives including:
  • Increasing required buffer distances around watercourses and wetlands. Where it can be demonstrated that the requirements for buffers prohibits development of the main use on a property, alternative approaches to the application of the buffer or a reduced buffer may be considered by development agreement.
  • Establishing intent to develop watershed management frameworks;
  • Setting parameters for watershed studies and lake water quality monitoring; and
  • Protecting municipal source water supplies (Map 6).
• Establishes coastal horizontal and vertical setbacks, with similar relaxations as for watercourses and wetlands, including a development agreement policy.
• Directs the Municipality to pursue resilient infrastructure, including stormwater management using green infrastructure and to address flooding and erosion control.
• Promotes renewable energy by removing barriers to district energy, commercial solar energy facilities, and electric vehicle infrastructure.

Chapter 7: Providing Options for Mobility

• Recognizes the integrated nature of transportation and land use planning, supports mobility choices, and directs the Municipality to develop and maintain complete and safe networks for all mobility modes.
• Supports the consideration of the Integrated Mobility Plan when preparing business plans and programs.
• Establishes mode share targets for the short term (2031) and long term (1 million people).
• Supports work to improve mobility choice in the Rural Area.
• Promotes a Complete Streets approach and identifies Strategic Corridors important for creating a multimodal mobility network in the Urban Area (Map 7).
• Promotes a Complete Networks approach and directs further study to identify additional network connections.
• Directs the Municipality to identify communities with limited access and egress and work to prioritize these communities for new connections.
• Establishes the Urban Transit Service Boundary (Map 8) and directs the Municipality to prioritize implementation of the rapid transit network identified in the Rapid Transit Strategy.

Chapter 8: Promoting Inclusive Economic Prosperity

• Supports the consideration of the People Planet Prosperity, Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy 2022-27, and the Road to Economic Prosperity for African Nova Scotian Communities when preparing the Municipality’s business plans and programs.
• Supports collaboration with institutional partners in the region.
• Directs Community Planning programs to promote mixed-use to support complete communities.
• Recognizes the importance of industrial and employment lands in the region and directs a framework for industrial zone and comprehensive planning when updating Community Plans.
• Establishes the Business Industrial Sub-Designation and Halifax Harbour Sub-Designation to lands to be prioritized for industrial use;
• Directs the Municipality to discourage or regulate infilling of pre-Confederation water lots and promotes a collaborative approach to the siting and approval of sulfide-bearing material disposal sites.
• Supports the Integrated Tourism Master Plan and rural tourism.
• Supports African Nova Scotian Community Action Planning.

Chapter 9: Celebrating Culture, Arts and Heritage

• Recognizes the Municipality’s efforts to protect and enhance diverse cultural, artistic, and heritage resources.
• Supports the consideration of Sharing Our Stories: The Culture & Heritage Priorities Plan when preparing the Municipality’s business plans and programs.
• Supports the Municipality’s efforts toward reconciliation with Mi’kmaq and Indigenous communities.
• Supports working with African Nova Scotian communities to recognize ANS culture and heritage.
• Directs the Municipality to maintain a Registry of Heritage Properties, and to review and update criteria to identify and evaluate heritage properties and sites.
• Supports studying and establishing Heritage Conservation Districts across the region, as well as future identification and study of cultural landscapes.
• Establishes policy to enable adaptive reuse of municipally-registered heritage properties by development agreement.
• Provides guidance for appropriate development on and near heritage properties.

Chapter 10: Implementation

• Establishes technical policies and a range of planning tools to support implementation of the Plan, including secondary municipal planning strategies, land use by-laws, heritage by-laws, the Regional Subdivision By-Law and development agreements.
• Establishes a standard for public engagement and engagement with abutting municipalities, by providing direction for the Public Participation Administrative Order.
• Implements certain policies through the Regional Subdivision By-Law including:
  • Setting growth management policies which manage subdivision in the Rural Commuter, Rural Resource, Open Space and Natural Resource and Agricultural Designations;
  • Establishing special provisions for legacy subdivisions, subdivisions within Land Titles Clarifications Areas, and for 10-hectare lots;
  • Setting minimum requirements for parkland dedication through the subdivision process.
• Establishes service boundaries for municipal water and wastewater services, and the process for expanding those boundaries.
• Provides criteria for policy-enabled discretionary applications (i.e. development agreements and land use by-law amendments) to apply consistent standards across the region.
• Establishes the role of the Municipal Design Guidelines to set minimum standards for the design of municipal rights-of-way, and provides guidance for updating the Guidelines over time.
• Establishes policy guiding comprehensive development of opportunities sites.
• Establishes development agreement option for sites within the Suburban Plan area that meet certain criteria which can be initiated ahead of the Suburban Planning process.
• Requires the Plan to be reviewed on a regular basis (every 10 years minimum, per HRM Charter requirements).

REGIONAL SUBDIVISION BY-LAW: To implement the Proposed 2025 Regional Plan, amendments are proposed to the Regional Subdivision By-law, as generally described below:

• Add a sunset clause to require tentative or final subdivision applications for the final phase of subdivision to be filed before April 29, 2031. This date is 25 years from the adoption of the 2006 Regional Plan, which was the length of that plan’s horizon.
• For Land Titles Clarification Areas (LTCAs):
  • permit subdivision using lot frontage and area exemptions.
  • Permit subdivision of lands containing multiple buildings on one lot and exempt these lots from Parkland Dedication requirements;
  • Land Use By-law amendments are also proposed to clarify and update definitions related to LTCAs, and enable the issuance of permits for lots in LTCAs that have been created through exemption provisions, within the following Community Plan Areas: Beaver Bank, Hammonds Plains, and Upper Sackville; Eastern Shore (East); Eastern Shore (West); Lawrencetown; Musquodoboit Valley/Dutch Settlement; North Preston, Lake Major, Lake Loon, Cherry Brook, and East Preston; Planning District 4 (Prospect); Planning District 5 (Chebucto Peninsula); Planning Districts 1 & 3 (St. Margaret’s Bay); Planning Districts 8 & 9 (Lake Echo/Porters Lake).
• Apply a 10% parkland dedication requirement, with exemptions including:
  • A reduction to 5% for a two-lot subdivision;
  • A reduction to 5% for Classic Conservation Design because the design of these developments already maintains open space;
  • No parkland dedication requirement for subdividing lots containing multiple buildings in Land Title Clarification Areas given these subdivisions do not result in increased density.
• Add a minimum size range in Neighbourhood parks in urban and suburban areas.
• Amend Schedule B – Service Requirement Map to:
  • Make minor housekeeping adjustments to better align the Urban Service Area boundary with the Urban Settlement designation where services are available;
  • Include a 0.9 hectare portion of PID 40140501, located in Middle Sackville, within the Urban Service Area boundary to enable the construction of a wastewater main to service the Twin Brooks subdivision, which has been proceeding in phases through an as-of-right subdivision process.
  • Include the entirety of PID 00642462, located in North Preston, to enable future consideration of new serviced development by development agreement.

SECONDARY MUNICIPAL PLANNING STRATEGIES AND LAND USE BY-LAWS: To implement the 2025 Proposed Regional Plan, amendments are proposed to the existing community Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies (SMPS) and Land Use By-Laws (LUB) as generally described below:

Market Gardens (Farmers Markets, residential produce sale, and accessory beekeeping) – All LUBs except the Regional Centre

• Simplify and consolidate regulations, and ensure consistency
• Remove barriers and enable the sale of plants and food products produced on-site by the property owner or occupant in residential zones
• Permit Farmers Markets in commercial zones, industrial zones, and residential zones (excluding low-density residential areas)
• Permit accessory beekeeping across the region

Rooftop Landscaping and Greenhouses – All LUBs except the Regional Centre and Suburban Housing Accelerator

• Create new definitions for ‘Greenhouse’ and clarify related definitions as applicable (Amenity Area/Space and Gross Floor Area)
• Remove barriers to height limits to encourage rooftop greenhouses and landscaping

Indoor Farming – All LUBs except Regional Centre, Cole Harbour / Westphal, and Sackville Drive

• Clarifying and adding definitions to clarify use of shipping containers for indoor agricultural uses
• Permitting indoor production of food and accessory retail in industrial zones as-of-right
• Enabling indoor agriculture to be considered by development agreement in commercial and mixed-use zones

Adaptive Reuse in Rural Areas – Regional Plan & Applicable LUBs including Beaver Bank, Hammonds Plains, and Upper Sackville; Cole Harbour/Westphal; Eastern Passage/Cow Bay; Eastern Shore (East); Eastern Shore (West); Lawrencetown; Musquodoboit Valley/Dutch Settlement; North Preston, Lake Major, Lake Loon, Cherry Brook, and East Preston; Planning District 4 (Prospect); Planning District 5 (Chebucto Peninsula); Planning Districts 1 & 3 (St. Margaret’s Bay); Planning District 14&17 (Shubenacadie Lakes); Planning Districts 8 & 9 (Lake Echo/Porters Lake); Timberlea/Lakeside/Beechville

• Include policy to allow existing underutilized buildings to redevelop and provide housing through a development agreement process in the Rural Area

Short-term Rentals in the Rural Areas – LUBs for Eastern Shore (West), Eastern Shore (East), Lawrencetown, Musquodoboit Valley & Dutch Settlement, Planning Districts 8 & 9, and Planning Districts 14 & 17

• Allow one dwelling unit per lot to be used as a short-term rental in six rural plan areas aligning the approach with plan areas where Tourist Accommodation use is already permitted [Planning Districts 1 & 3 (St. Margarets Bay), 4 (Prospect), and 5 (Chebucto Peninsula)]

Watercourse Buffers – All LUBs

• Increase watercourse buffer from 20 metres (plus additional distance for steep slopes) to a consistent 30 metre buffer
• Increase the watercourse buffer to 100 metres for primary municipal water supply sources
• Allow lots that existed before 2006 to reduce to the greatest possible distance if a 30 m buffer cannot be met
• Allow lots created between 2006 and the proposed Regional Plan adoption to develop with a buffer as shown on the approved subdivision plan
• Where it can be demonstrated that the requirements for buffers prohibits development of the main use on a property, alternative approaches to the application of the buffer or a reduced buffer may be considered by development agreement

Wetlands – all LUBs except the Regional Centre

• Add a definition of wetland in the LUBs
• Add general provisions for wetlands in the LUBs, prohibiting development within all wetlands, unless an approval that permits the alteration or infilling of a wetland has been granted by the Province
• Establish a 30 metre buffer for Wetlands of Special Significance
• Allow lots that existed before adoption of this regulation to reduce the wetland buffer to the greatest possible distance if a 30 m buffer cannot be met
• Where it can be demonstrated that the requirements for buffers prohibits development of the main use on a property, alternative approaches to the application of the buffer or a reduced buffer may be considered by development agreement
• Delete outdated wetland mapping
• Clarify in the LUBs and RSBL that wetlands sharing hydrology and soils with watercourses require buffers

Coastal Protection – All LUBs

• Require 30 metre horizontal buffers from the coastline in the same manner as for watercourses described above; except for properties within the Halifax Harbour Sub-Designation
• Maintain more stringent buffer requirements where they currently exist in some LUBs
• Where it can be demonstrated the requirements for buffers prohibits development of the main use on a property, alternative approaches to the application of the buffer or a reduced buffer may be considered by development agreement
• Require residential, commercial and institutional uses to be built at a minimum elevation of 3.2m CGVD (Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum), and update definitions and general requirements for vertical coastal regulations. Permit relaxations where a professional engineer has identified measures to mitigate risks of flood damage and public safety on the development site, including confirmation that the proposed development does not increase the risk or hazard for surrounding buildings, adjacent uses, or adjacent coastlines.

Commercial Solar Energy Facilities - All LUBs

• Add definition of commercial solar energy facility
• Create general provisions to regulate commercial solar energy facilities
• Allow commercial solar energy facilities in mixed use, commercial and industrial designations and zones, primarily in the Rural Area
• Commercial Solar Energy Facilities, community solar projects, and developments proposing solar installations that cannot be approved as-of-right may be considered in all Plan Areas by development agreement.

Electric Vehicle Ready Infrastructure – All LUBs

• Add definitions to support Electric Vehicle Ready Parking Requirements
• Create general provisions to require parking spaces for new residential and non-residential construction to be “electric vehicle ready” by providing an energized outlet that will be able to accommodate an electric vehicle charger

SMPS Discretionary Application Criteria – All SMPSs

• Delete general discretionary application implementation criteria (for development agreements and land use by-laws) in SMPSs and reference one common set of criteria within the Regional Plan.

Conservation Design Developments – Regional Plan and Applicable LUBs (Beaver Bank, Hammonds Plains, Upper Sackville; Bedford; Cole Harbour/Westphal; Dartmouth; Eastern Passage/Cow Bay; Eastern Shore (East); Eastern Shore (West); Halifax Mainland; Lawrencetown; Musquodoboit Valley & Dutch Settlement; North Preston / Lake Major / Lake Loon / Cherry Brook/ East Preston Area; Planning District 4 (Prospect); Planning District 5 (Chebucto Peninsula); Planning Districts 1 and 3 (St. Margarets Bay); Planning Districts 8 & 9 (Lake Echo/Porters Lake); Sackville; Timberlea/Lakeside/Beechville)

• Limit the eligibility for Conservation Design Developments in the Agricultural Designation to lands that are also designated Village in the Musquodoboit Valley/ Dutch Settlement Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy (applied to lands in Dutch Settlement, Middle Musquodoboit, Meaghers Grant, and Upper Musquodoboit).
• For secondary and backyard suites, enable secondary and backyard suites to be permitted in all types of Conservation Design Developments. Within Rural Growth Centres, secondary and backyard suites units will not contribute to the maximum permitted density of the development.
• For Conservation Design Developments for developments with a construction permit issued and that begin construction before April 1, 2027 Developable Area may be calculated as Gross Developable Area.

Urban Settlement Employment (US-E) Zone – LUBs for Dartmouth, Planning Districts 14 & 17

• Amend Land Use By-Laws to include the Urban Settlement Employment (US-E) Zone enabled where future serviced industrial land is anticipated on HRM-owned lands identified for industrial use.
• Apply the US-E Zone to PID 40018657 (Burnside Phase 14).

Maximum Height Measurement – Regional Plan and Applicable LUBs: Bedford; Cole Harbour/Westphal; Dartmouth; Eastern Passage/Cow Bay; Halifax Mainland; Musquodoboit Valley/Dutch Settlement; Planning District 5 (Chebucto Peninsula); Planning Districts 1&3 (St. Margaret’s Bay); Planning Districts 14&17 (Shubenacadie Lakes); Planning Districts 8&9 (Lake Echo/Porters Lake); Sackville Drive; Regional Centre; and MPSs: Bedford; Halifax Mainland and Halifax Mainland SMPS;

• Amend maximum height measurements in storeys instead of metres or feet in zones that permit residential buildings with more than 4 units; and
• Include consistent definitions for ‘Storey’ and ‘Mezzanine’.

Unit Mix Requirements – Regional Plan and LUBs for Bedford; Dartmouth; Downtown Halifax; Halifax Mainland; Regional Centre; and Suburban Housing Accelerator

• Amendments to Regional Plan and applicable land use by-laws to include a ‘notwithstanding’ clause in applicable zones to remove the requirement for unit mix/bedroom count for new construction that begins before April 1, 2027.

Parking Requirements – Regional Plan and the following LUBs: Beaver Bank, Hammonds Plains, and Upper Sackville; Bedford; Cole Harbour-Westphal; Dartmouth; Eastern Passage/Cow Bay; Halifax Mainland; Musquodoboit Valley/Dutch Settlement; Planning District 5 (Chebucto Peninsula); Sackville Drive, Sackville; Timberlea/Lakeside/Beechville; Planning Districts 14 and 17 (Shubenacadie Lakes); North Preston, Lake Major, Lake Loon, Cherry Brook, and East Preston.

• Amendments to Regional Plan and applicable land use by-laws to include a ‘notwithstanding’ clause that specifies that no vehicular parking is required for residential uses in the Urban Service Area.

Required Ground Floor Commercial Space – Regional Plan, Regional Centre LUB, Sackville Drive LUB, and Bedford SMPS and LUB

• Where commercial ground-floor uses are currently required greater than 20%, amendments are proposed to permit any multi-unit residential building that begins construction before April 1, 2027 to:
  • Permit ground-floor residential uses; and
  • Require a minimum of 20% commercial space on the ground floor, which may not include non-commercial space such as lobbies, elevators and vestibules. Commercial space will be required to abut the streetline.

Temporary Construction Uses – Regional Plan and all LUBs except Regional Centre, Suburban Housing Accelerator and Downtown Halifax

• Amendments to clarify that temporary buildings or structures are permitted near a worksite where a development permit has been issued.

Manufactured Housing – Regional Plan and all LUBs

• Amending definitions to clarify that shipping container dwellings are not vehicle bodies and removing restrictions on converted shipping containers used as accessory or secondary/backyard suites.
• Permitting converted shipping containers as a form of housing in the Corridor Zone in the Regional Centre.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS FOR SPECIFIC AREAS OF LAND: The following provides a summary of proposed amendments that pertain to specific areas of land, to be considered as part of the 2025 Proposed Regional Plan and associated planning document amendments:

Purcell’s Cove Backlands Area - Regional Plan, Halifax SMPS & Halifax Mainland LUB

• Re-designate the Shaw Wilderness Park and adjacent municipally-owned lands from Urban Reserve to Open Space and Natural Resources Designation and rezone from the Urban Reserve Zone to the Regional Park Zone.
• Re-designate other publicly-owned lands and private conservation lands from Urban Reserve to the Open Space and Natural Resource Designation and rezone from the Urban Reserve Zone to the Protected Area Zone.

Lands on Purcell’s Cove Road (PID 41342080, 41221680, 00270934, 00274555, 41054446) - Regional Plan, Halifax SMPS & Halifax Mainland LUB)

• Redesignate lands noted above from Urban Reserve to Rural Commuter and rezone lands to R-1 to permit subdivision using existing road frontage.

3524 Dutch Village Road, Halifax (PID 00188771) – Regional Plan, Halifax SMPS & Halifax Mainland LUB

• For the portion of land that contains a driveway with road frontage on Rosedale Avenue that is currently designated Low Density Residential (LDR) and zoned Two Family Dwelling (R-2):
  • Amend Map 9C, Halifax SMPS to redesignate the land to Commercial;
  • Amend Map 9C(1), Halifax SMPS to add the land to Area D; 
  • Amend Map ZM-1 (Centre Section), Halifax Mainland LUB to rezone the land to Dutch Village Road Mixed Use (C-2C) Zone;
  • Amend Map ZM-28 (Plan Dutch Village Road Overview Map), Halifax Mainland LUB to add the land to Area D;
  • Amend Map ZM-32, Halifax Mainland LUB to assign a height of 7 storeys to the land.

Lands North of Frederick Lake, Hubley (PID 40053654) - Regional Plan, Planning Districts 1&3 SMPS & LUB

• Re-designate to Open Space and Natural Resources Designation and rezone to the Protected Area (PA) Zone.

Twin Brooks Subdivision Phase 4C (PID 40140501), Middle Sackville – Regional Plan & Regional Subdivision By-law

• Amend Schedule B, Regional Subdivision By-Law to include an additional +/- 0.9 ha (2.2 acres) on this lot; include the affected portion of the site in the Urban Settlement designation under the Regional Plan.

Millwood Planned Unit Development Rezoning, Sackville – Sackville LUB

• A Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement in Millwood, Lower Sackville was discharged, resulting in properties without applied Land Use By-Law zoning. Appropriate zones are proposed to be applied, which reflect the current development form of the properties including: park zones (P-1, P-4, & RPK), R-1-0, R-1, R-2, R-6, and CDD.

Seton Ridge, Halifax (PID 00137802 and PID 40178485) – Halifax SMPS & Halifax Mainland LUB

• Amendments to the Halifax SMPS and Halifax Mainland LUB for PID 00137802 and PID 40178485 are proposed to align with a future property boundary alteration as envisioned as part of the approved Seton Ridge development, as follows:
• Amend Map 1: Bedford Highway Area Plan Boundary, Halifax SMPS to include portions of PID 00137802 within the Bedford Highway Secondary Planning Strategy;
• Amend Map 9 - Generalized Future Land Use, Halifax SMPS to include portions of PID 00137802 within the Bedford Highway Secondary Planning Strategy and redesignate portions of PID 00137802 from Seton Ridge Neighbourhood Plan (SRNP) Designation to Residential Environments (RES) Designation;
• Amend Map 9Dd: Generalized Future Land Use – Bedford Highway, Halifax SMPS to redesignate portions of PID 00137802 from Seton Ridge Neighbourhood Plan (SRNP) Designation to Residential Environments (RES) Designation and Institutional (IU) Designation and redesignate portions of PID 40178485 from Institutional (IU) Designation to Seton Ridge Neighbourhood Plan (SRNP) Designation;
• Amend Map 9De: Generalized Future Land Use – Bedford Highway, Halifax SMPS to redesignate portions of PID 00137802 from Seton Ridge Neighbourhood Plan (SRNP) Designation to Residential Environments (RES) Designation and Institutional (IU) Designation and redesignate portions of PID 40178485 from Institutional (IU) Designation to Seton Ridge Neighbourhood Plan (SRNP) Designation;
• Amend Map 9Df: Seton Ridge Neighbourhood Plan, Halifax SMPS to redesignate portions of PID 00137802 from Seton Ridge Neighbourhood Plan (SRNP) Designation to Residential Environments (RES) Designation and Institutional (IU) Designation and redesignate portions of PID 40178485 from Institutional (IU) Designation to Seton Ridge Neighbourhood Plan (SRNP) Designation;
• Amend Map ZM-2 – Schedules and Secondary Planning Areas, Halifax Mainland LUB to include portions of PID 00137802 within the Bedford Highway Secondary Planning Strategy; and
• Amend Map ZM-1 – Zoning (North Section), Halifax Mainland LUB to rezone portions of PID 00137802 from Seton Ridge Comprehensive Development District (SRCDD) Zone to Single Family Dwelling (R-1) Zone and Park and Institutional (P) Zone; and rezone portions of PID 40178485 from Park and Institutional (P) Zone to Seton Ridge Comprehensive Development District (SRCDD) Zone.

300 Prince Albert Road, Dartmouth (PID 00209544) – Regional Centre SMPS & LUB

• The Proposed 2025 Regional Plan includes policy to permit a special area to allow limited recreational uses and commercial uses within a riparian buffer where the riparian buffer has been infilled or altered prior to 2006, developed in an environmentally sensitive manner.
• Amendments are proposed to the Regional Centre SMPS and LUB to enable development to be considered by development agreement, provided certain criteria is met.

Lake Loon Golf Centre, Dartmouth (PIDs 40396152, 00602474, 41053299, 00261933, 00261925, 00261958, 41053281, 40173395, 40285397, and 00261917) – Dartmouth SMPS

• Amendments are proposed to the Dartmouth SMPS to permit development at the Lake Loon Golf Centre lands to proceed by development agreement as envisioned under existing policy.

Main Street Commercial Zone, Bedford – Bedford SMPS & LUB

• New policy is proposed to allow Council to consider modifying select Bedford Mainstreet Commercial zone requirements for renovations and expansions to existing heritage buildings, in accordance with the Heritage Development Agreement policies of the Regional Plan.

On August 21, 2024, the Province of Nova Scotia adopted new Minimum Planning Requirements Regulations. These requirements are intended to prioritize increasing housing supply in land-use planning, regulations, decisions, and development approvals under the municipal planning strategy (the Regional Plan). The legislation requires the municipality to make changes to its plans and by-laws to meet these requirements. On October 1, 2024, Regional Council directed staff to consider the Minimum Planning Requirements as part of the Regional Plan Review process.

Please visit the project website for more information: www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/minimum-planning.

The 2023 Draft Regional Plan is organized into 10 chapters. Please use the table below to read the plan and learn more about key topics.

	Regional Plan Chapters and Descriptions
	The Halifax Regional Municipal Planning Strategy (also called the ‘Regional Plan’) sets out a common vision, principles, and long-range, region-wide planning policies outlining where, when and how future growth and development should take place. To read the full draft Regional Plan - click here. To read the summary factsheet introducing the draft Plan - click here. On Tuesday, June 20, the Regional Planning team presented the draft Regional Plan to Regional Council. Click here to view the staff presentation.
	Chapter 1 - Introduction This chapter: Introduces the plan, provides historical and planning context, and sets out the Plan’s Vision, Guiding Principle and Principles To read chapter 1 - click here.
	Chapter 2 - Planning for our region This chapter: Sets out the municipality’s approach to regional and community planning Establishes a strategic growth target directing 90 per cent of new housing growth to the Urban Area Establishes a program to regularly monitor population, housing and employment to inform reviews and amendments to the Plan, Community Plans, and supporting planning documents or studies Sets direction to develop a Strategic Growth and Infrastructure Priority Plan, to provide a framework for future long-range growth and investment Establishes the regional land-use structure To read chapter 2 - click here.
	Chapter 3 - Building healthy and complete communities This chapter Sets out the Community Planning Framework for the Regional Centre, Suburban Areas and Rural Areas For the Regional Centre: provides the Vision, Core Concepts and Guiding Principles; identifies Regional Centre Growth Areas. For Suburban Areas: provides a Vision and Guiding Principles for Suburban Communities to be used as part of the Suburban Community Planning program; identifies Growth Areas aligned with proposed rapid transit corridors; sets out guidance for planning future serviced communities For Rural Areas: provides a Vision and Guiding Principles for Rural Communities to be used as part of the Rural Community Planning program; identifies Rural Centres, which will be further refined as part of the Rural Planning program; establishes intent to study rural services and mobility options as part of the Rural Community Planning program. To read chapter 3 - click here. To view the chapter 3 summary factsheet with key information - click here.
	Chapter 4 - Strengthening community infrastructure This chapter: Identifies Community Infrastructure as critical for building healthy and complete communities Includes policies related to: Parks Community facilities (indoor recreation) Libraries Schools Public safety and emergency services Food security Solid waste Energy and telecommunications To read chapter 4 - click here. To view the chapter 4 summary factsheet with key information - click here. To learn more about emergency services and street connectivity - click here.
	Chapter 5 - Fostering diverse and affordable housing This chapter: Includes policy to increase housing supply through: Opportunities to build a diverse range of housing types Encouraging gentle density and missing middle housing Adaptive reuse of underutilized buildings Reducing parking requirements Includes policy to increase housing affordability through: Exploring initiatives such as inclusionary zoning and no net loss/rental replacement Incentive or bonus zoning Regulating short-term rentals Partnering with other levels of government, non-profit and private sector housing providers To read chapter 5 - click here. To view the chapter 5 summary factsheet with key information - click here.
	Chapter 6 - Protecting the environment and acting on climate This chapter: Updates environmental policy to reflect the Halifax Green Network Plan and HalifACT Includes policy to protect open space and promote landscape connectivity, including: urban forests; natural/ wildlife corridors; naturalization Includes policy to protect water resources through: Establishing intent to develop a watershed management framework Setting parameters for watershed studies and lake water quality monitoring Increasing required buffer distances around watercourses and wetlands Directs the municipality to pursue resilient infrastructure, including stormwater management using green infrastructure and to address flooding and erosion control Includes policy related to coastal protection with a focus on mitigating coastal risk, including requirements for coastal setbacks and limiting development on islands and undersized coastal lots Includes policy supporting HalifACT actions related to renewable energy To read chapter 6 - click here. To view the chapter 6 summary factsheet with key information - click here. To learn more about protecting water and watersheds - click here.
	Chapter 7 - Transforming how we move in our region This chapter: Updates policy to reflect the Integrated Mobility Plan Identifies strategic mobility corridors Establishes the Urban Transit Service Boundary Updates mode share targets Directs future updates to the Moving Forward Together Plan and Active Transportation Plan Directs the municipality to collaborate with the Joint Regional Transportation Agency on a future Regional Transportation Plan To read chapter 7 - click here. To view the chapter 7 summary factsheet with key information - click here.
	Chapter 8 - Driving economic prosperity This chapter: Updates economic policy to reflect People Planet Prosperity, Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy 2022-27, and the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity action plan Includes policy to support African Nova Scotian community-action planning Includes policy to support subdivision of lots in areas designated under the Land Titles Clarification Act, to ensure African Nova Scotian residents can establish legal title to their lands Supports collaboration with institutional partners including post-secondary institutions, Department of National Defence, Halifax Stanfield International Airport, and the Halifax Port Authority Establishes region-wide policy to protect industrial employment lands Establishes the Halifax Harbour sub-designation and policy related to harbour-related land uses Directs consideration for rural employment lands as part of the Community Planning program Includes policy to support the Integrated Tourism Master Plan and rural tourism To read chapter 8 - click here. To view the chapter 8 summary factsheet with key information - click here.
	Chapter 9 - Celebrating culture, arts and heritage This chapter: Updates culture and heritage policies to reflect the forthcoming Sharing Our Stories: Culture & Heritage Priority Plan. Includes policies in support of reconciliation with Mi’kmaq and Indigenous communities Includes policies to support African Nova Scotian community planning, as well as community-led approach to supporting planning efforts for other traditionally under-represented groups Includes comprehensive policies regarding the protection of heritage resources, including but not limited to: The Municipal Heritage Registry Heritage conservation districts Heritage development agreements Cultural landscapes To read chapter 9 - click here. To view the chapter 9 summary factsheet with key information - click here.
	Chapter 10 - Implementation This chapter: Includes a range of technical policies to support implementation of the Plan and sets a standard for community engagement Outlines the range of planning tools used Includes policies related to the Regional Subdivision By-law, including growth management policies which limit subdivision outside the Urban Service Area and parkland dedication Includes policies related to water and wastewater services in both urban and rural areas, including establishing the Urban Service Area boundary Sets requirements for monitoring of key performance indicators and reviews of the Plan To read chapter 10 - click here.
	Appendices and maps To view Appendix A and Appendix B - click here. To view Appendix C Suburban Design Guidelines - click here. To view maps click the links below: Map 1 - Regional Plan Geographies Map 2 - Regional Land Use Structure Map 3 - Urban Growth Areas Map 4 - Rural Centres Map 5 - Parks and Community Facilities Map 5A - BMBCL Partnership Lands Map 6 - Wildlife Corridors Map 7 - Regional and Community Links Map 8 - Source Water Protection Areas
	Existing Policy Table To view a comparison of policy of the existing Regional Plan with the Draft Regional Plan, please click here.
	Open House Materials To view the boards used at our Open Houses click the links below: 1. Welcome Boards 2. What is the Regional Plan Review 3. What is the Suburban Plan 4. Suburban Plan Area Map 5. What is the Rural Plan 6. Healthy and Complete Communities 7. Housing 8. Community Infrastructure 9. Environment and Climate 10. Mobility 11. Economic Prosperity 12. Culture, Arts & Heritage

Themes and Directions

Themes and Directions is a key document created during Phase 2 of the Regional Plan Review. Feedback on Themes and Directions closed July 2021. The feedback we received helped provide focus and direction for future work during the project and the 2023 Draft Regional Plan.

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The Themes introduce the main overall topic areas. There are 11 themes in total. In the table, each theme is briefly described and explained. If you would like to read the entire theme, there is a link to read the theme in more detail. You may also dive deeper into issue papers that relate to the theme or read further into the background materials that helped to develop the theme. You may still access the recorded webinars and FAQ pages.

The Regional Plan Review team and content contributors hosted live virtual Q&A sessions on key topics including housing, social policy, climate change, the environment, mobility and long-range planning. These events were recorded and topics included the following:

• Social Policy Webinar Video – Acting on new partnerships, to rethink our values, and include underrepresented or untold views and histories within our region. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
• Housing Webinar Video – Making smart decisions about housing and employment to quickly direct growth to the right places, in a way that furthers our community goals, and builds a healthy, thriving economy. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
• Climate Change Webinar Video– Taking action to reduce our emissions and preparing our communities for climate hazards. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
• Environment - Strengthening and protecting important natural and cultural places and using them to shape our region’s communities. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
• Mobility - Linking decisions land use and transportation and organize our transportation system for people by focusing on walking, rolling, and riding. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.
• Long Range Planning – Generating ideas about how to change and transform as a community as we move towards the future. You may also access the presentation slides and the Q&A transcript.

Theme	Description and Supporting Documents
	A quick snapshot of the Regional Plan ideas can be found here: Key Ideas The Background to the Themes and Direction Document can be found here: Background A link to the full Themes and Direction Document can be found here: Full document
	Theme 1: Considering the regional scale first The Regional Plan sets out a common vision and long-range, region-wide planning Policies outlining where, when, and how future growth and development should take place between now and 2031. The Municipality’s physical geographic constraints, existing and planned water and wastewater infrastructure, transit boundary, as well as the location of employment and community facilities significantly impacts where and how the region grows’. A full description of Theme Area 1 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 1: Background and policy directions Issue papers Preliminary Housing and Population Analysis (June, 2021) Preliminary Housing and Population Analysis Supplementary (Dec, 2021) Additional materials Economic Growth Plan Quantifying the Costs and Benefits of Alternative Growth Scenarios (Stantec Scenarios Study)
	Theme 2: Building healthier and more complete communities The Regional Plan provides guidance for the development of communities across the municipality to build healthier, more complete communities by setting policy direction at a regional scale to strengthen our citizens’ quality of life by maximizing our municipal services and amenities. A full description of Theme Area 2 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 2: Background and policy directions Issue papers Rural Issue Paper May 2021 Suburban Issue Paper May 2021 Additional materials Regional Centre Secondary Plan Package A Regional Centre Secondary Plan Package B
	Theme 3: Reconsidering employment and industrial lands The Halifax Regional Municipality is the economic hub of Atlantic Canada. The Regional Plan highlights important components of regional economic development, including protection for industrial lands, business parks, the Halifax Harbour and other coastal areas, as well as support for the rural economy. A full description of Theme Area 3 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 3: Background and policy directions Additional materials Halifax 2020 Industrial Employment Lands Strategy (Final Report) Economic Growth Plan Green Network Plan
	Theme 4: Transforming how we move in our region The Regional Plan supports safe, sustainable and accessible travel options to move conveniently throughout the region. A regional transportation system links people and communities with each other and with goods, services and opportunities in an environmentally and fiscally sustainable way. The municipality recognizes that transportation and land-use planning are inseparable and the decision-making process for both must be integrated. A full description of Theme Area 4 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 4: Background and policy directions Additional materials Rapid Transit Strategy Moving Forward Together Plan Integrated Mobility Plan Active Transportation Priorities Plan
	Theme 5: Social planning for community well-being Since the last Regional Plan review Regional Council has played an increasing role in socially minded policies and directives including: Endorsing: the Housing Needs Assessment, Halifax Food Action Plan, Anti-Poverty Solutions Strategy Creating: the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and increasing presence of the African Nova Scotia Integrated Affairs Office Partnering: with Mobile Food Market, Halifax Food Policy Alliance, Housing and Homelessness Partnership Collaborating: with not-for-profits and the Province A full description of Theme Area 5 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 5: Background and policy directions Issue paper: Density Bonusing Issue Paper Affordable Housing Issue Paper Additional materials Accessibility Strategy Report of the Task Force on the Commemoration of Edward Cornwallis and the Recognition and Commemoration of Indigenous History African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity Diversity and Inclusion Framework Housing and Homelessness Partnership Homeless Partnering Strategy Accessibility Directorate
	Theme 6: Celebrating culture and heritage The Halifax Regional Municipality is home to diverse cultures and histories that are expressed in many ways. Tangible assets, such as heritage buildings and sites, speak to the evolution of the community over time, while intangible assets, such as events, provide an opportunity to preserve and foster living traditions. Sharing Our Stories will provide a regional approach to the preservation of these heritage and cultural resources, which will be reflected in the Regional Plan review. A full description of Theme Area 6 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 6: Background and policy directions Additional materials Sharing Our Stories
	Theme 7: Integrating community facilities and parks Parks and community facilities are an essential component of complete communities that support healthy lifestyles for all residents. Currently in the Halifax region there are more than 900 municipal parks, including playgrounds, sport courts, playing fields and other specialized amenities, as well as over 65 indoor community facilities, ranging from small community centres to large complexes with pools, arena and gymnasiums. Facilities provided by other organizations, such as schools and emergency facilities, also play an important role in the livability of our communities and should be considered when planning for development. A full description of Theme Area 7 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 7: Background and policy directions Additional materials: Facilities Planning Halifax Green Network Plan Halifax Regional Centre for Education Long Range Outlook Library Strategic Planning Framework Community Facilities Master Plan
	Theme 8: Enhancing environmental protection Open spaces and waterbodies are vital to maintaining a healthy, sustainable and desirable region. They provide important habitats and ecosystems, support economic activity, shape communities, provide opportunities for recreation, and reflect local culture and history. Momentum is building for work taking place in approved priority plans: Halifax Green Network Plan: identifies ways the municipality can better identify and protect landscapes HalifACT: supports the preservation of open spaces and waterbodies as part of efforts to reduce emissions and help communities adapt to climate change. A full description of Theme Area 8 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 8: Background and policy directions Issue paper: Open Space Issue Paper
	Theme 9: Leading through action on climate Climate change is real, urgent, complex, and a global crisis. With the changing climate, we face hazards to health, economic growth, safety and the natural world. In HRM, Regional Council has declared a climate emergency and, guided by HalifACT the Municipality is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support communities’ resiliency to the effects of climate change. A full description of Theme Area 9 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 9: Background and policy directions Additional materials HalifACT
	Theme 10: Imagining the Halifax Regional Municipality into 2050 and beyond As 2020 has taught us, society can change dramatically over a short time. However, with long-range planning, the municipality can be better prepared to handle an uncertain future, and to some extent, even direct what the future can look like based on a shared vision. Now that this plan is nearing the end of its lifespan (2031), it is time to begin thinking about what we want the Halifax region to look like further into the future. A full description of Theme Area 10 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 10: Background and policy directions
	Theme 11: Assessing the impacts of COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global public health crisis that has significant implications for the social and economic well-being of our region. The municipality is facing great uncertainty, and the Regional Plan can help to guide the recovery and response. A full description of Theme Area 11 and the suggested policy actions can be found here: Theme 11: Background and policy directions Additional materials Partnership Response to COVID