Regional Plan Review

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. The existing plan can be found at this link. This website is the place where you can access content, materials and supporting research for the Regional Plan Review. You can also find out about the project process, including public engagement activities.

The Regional Plan is regularly reviewed and the current review was initiated in 2020. The review is organized into phases - the timeline on this page (found on the right on browser or at the bottom of the page on mobile) explains more about each phase. We are in Phase 4, and the latest updates on the Phase 4 process are posted below. To join the mailing list for updates, email regionalplan@halifax.ca.

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UPDATES

Last Updated 11 August 2025

Halifax Regional Council held a Public Hearing on the proposed Regional Plan and amendment package, including Minimum Planning Requirements, on Thursday, June 19, 2025 and approved the documents. These were subsequently sent to the Provincial Planning Director for approval, as required under Section 223 of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter.

Pursuant to Section 223 (3) of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, the Provincial Director of Planning advised the municipality on July 10, 2025 that they had completed their review of the Regional Plan. This review identified that Regional Plan policies may be inconsistent with provincial interests.

As a result, the decision was referred to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, with the Minister having 30 days to render a decision, pursuant to Section 223 (6). Under the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, in rendering a decision, the Minister can either (a) approve all or part of the documents; (b) approve the documents with amendments; or (c) refuse to approve the documents.  

On Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, the Halifax Regional Municipality received a letter from the Province of Nova Scotia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs in response to the municipality’s submission of the updated Regional Plan, refusing the approval of the documents.

Moving forward, this means that the current 2014 Regional Plan, last amended in May 2025, remains in effect, as the new proposed amendments have not been approved by the province. Over the coming weeks, municipal staff will re-engage with the province to determine the next steps on the planning process and ensure the Regional Plan is updated in a way that fulfills the municipality’s obligations under provincial legislation.

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	The proposed 2025 Regional Plan builds on the existing 2014 Regional Plan and sets out the goals, objectives and direction for long-term growth and development across the municipality. This draft plan responds to increased population growth, housing demand, the need to act on climate and the actions set out in the Priority Plans. The proposed 2025 Regional Plan has been informed by feedback received on the 2023 Draft Plan. To read the 2025 proposed Regional Plan, please see the June 19, 2025 Special Regional Council agenda.
	Site-Specific Requests are applications for changes to policy to allow specific development(s). These requests are located across the municipality. Staff review these applications and make a recommendation to Council on what to do. Residents are welcome to provide feedback on any of these requests. You can explore the site-specific requests and share feedback by clicking here.
	The Regional Plan sets the overall direction for growth, including in the Suburban Areas. On July 11, 2023 Regional Council initiated work on the Suburban Plan, which will guide change and development in suburban communities (areas with piped water and sewer outside the Regional Centre - click here for a map). For updates on the Suburban Plan process, please email suburbanplan@halifax.ca and request to be added to the mailing list.