The Regional Plan [PDF] establishes long-range, region-wide planning policies outlining where, when, and how future growth and development should take place.
Vision: Our vision for the future is to enhance our quality of life by fostering the growth of healthy and vibrant communities, a strong and diverse economy and sustainable environment.
Guiding principle: The plan seeks to address the needs and views of all sectors of the region, recognizing the diversity of its citizens, community and geography.
The Regional Plan has been in effect since Oct. 18, 2014 and includes amendments up to May 2025.
Planning changes to support housing supply
Last updated on Oct. 8, 2025
In August 2024, the province announced new Minimum Planning Requirements (MPRs) that specify what must be included in municipal planning strategies in the municipality. These requirements are intended to make sure that the municipality’s planning documents (i.e., plans and by-laws) and approval processes recognize the current housing crisis in the Halifax region and work to support increasing housing supply.
In addition to the MPRs to support housing supply, on March 7, 2025, the province announced further MPRs related to wind turbine setbacks.
The municipality’s land use plans and by-laws must comply with these provincial requirements.
Following a public hearing on June 19, 2025, Regional Council approved the proposed 2025 Regional Plan which had brought forward policies and regulations that would bring the municipalityin to compliance of the MPRs.
On Aug. 8, 2025, the municipality received a letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs in response to the municipality’s submission of the updated Regional Plan, refusing the approval of the planning documents. The provincial refusal means that the current 2014 Regional Plan remains in effect and the municipality’s planning documents do not comply with the Minimum Planning Requirements as required by provincial legislation.
The municipality is bringing forward proposed changes to the current planning framework so that the municipality will be in compliance with provincial legislation and assist in advancing provincial interests. On Oct. 3, 2025, the Minister of Municipal Affairs issued two orders to help address these changes; they are a short-term solution that will allow the municipality the opportunity to complete the work needed to fully enact these changes in municipal legislation, while allowing developers the opportunity to move forward on proposed projects.
Learn more about minimum planning changes
What's happening with the Regional Plan review?
The Regional Plan is regularly reviewed to make sure it still reflects the region’s goals for growth and development. In February 2020, Regional Council initiated a review of the current plan. The full review of the Regional Plan will continue as part of the Phase 5 process. Learn more about the status of the Regional Plan review.
Full text of the Regional Plan and related maps
This text-only version of the 2014 Regional Plan [PDF] contains all amendments to May 26, 2025.
Each of the plan’s 19 maps are provided below in PDF, while maps 1-12 are also available in ArcGIS Online Format.
- Map 1 - Settlement and Transportation
- Map 2 - Generalized Future Land Use
- Map 3 - Trails and Natural Networks
- Map 4 - Parks and Natural Corridors
- Map 5 - Significant Habitats and Endangered Species
- Map 6 - Future Transit and Transportation
- Map 7 - Urban Transit Service Boundary
- Map 8 - Cultural Significance
- Map 9 - Areas of Elevated Archaeological Potential
- Map 10 - Burnside Area
- Map 11 - Blue Mountain - Birch Cove Lakes Conceptual Park Area
- Map 12 - Water Supply Areas
- Map 13A - Hubbards Rural Local Growth Centre
- Map 13B - Upper Tantallon and Tantallon Crossroads Rural Growth Centres
- Map 13C - Enfield Rural Growth Centre
- Map 13D - Lake Echo Rural Local Growth Centre
- Map 13E - Porters Lake Rural District Growth Centre
- Map 13F - Musquodoboit Harbour Rural District Growth Centre
- Map 13G - River-Lakes/Fall River Rural District Growth Centres
These electronic conversions are unofficial copies and are provided for information purposes only. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these electronic copies, the Halifax Regional Municipality assumes no responsibility for discrepancies that may have resulted from the reformatting for electronic publication or from delays in updating approved amendments.
Regional Subdivision By-law
Regional Subdivision By-Law (text and schedules, except for schedules B, H, I and J) [PDF]
Subdivision By-law schedules
Schedule B - Service Requirement Map [PDF]
Schedule H - Interim Growth Management Area (Map) [PDF]
Schedule I - Future Transportation Routes (Map) [PDF]
Schedule J - Beaver Bank and Hammonds Plains Growth Control Areas (Map) [PDF]