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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Looking for information on the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF)? Visit the HAF website by clicking here.

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PHASE 4 UPDATES

Last Updated 24 Jan 2025

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.

You are invited to learn about the changes the municipality is making to meet the Minimum Planning Requirements. Please visit the project website for more information: www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/minimum-planning.

Staff are working to bring forward the full Phase 4 Regional Plan package, including amendments to implement the Minimum Planning Requirements, in Spring 2025. Staff provided an update on the Regional Plan and Changes to Provincial Minimum Planning Regulations to Regional Council on Oct 1, 2024. You can view the Council agenda and staff presentation at this link and download the full report by clicking here.

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	The Draft 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. You can learn more about the draft Plan below or by clicking here.
	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.