Municipal Design Guidelines (aka Red Book) were developed to provide consistency in design and construction issues among developers, consultants and contractors within the Halifax Regional Municipality. These specifications are to be used as the minimum standards to be met in the design of streets, drainage, street trees & lighting, and associated municipal infrastructure. The municipality will be updating the Municipal Design Guidelines regularly in accordance with best practice and industry standards. Links to other relevant documents can be found below which can serve as supplementary resources during the design process.
Halifax Water has similar servicing standards for water, stormwater and wastewater systems.
In addition to the design criteria set forth in the Municipal Design Guidelines, all systems shall conform to any of the more stringent requirements established by other authorities having jurisdiction.
Halifax Regional Municipality Guidelines - 2021
Part A: Design Guidelines - 2021 (PDF)
Part B: Standard Details - 2021 (PDF)
Part C: Drawing Standards - 2021 (PDF)
Halifax Regional Municipality Guidelines - 2013
Part A: Design Guidelines - 2013 (PDF)
Part B: Standard Details - 2013 (PDF)
Part C: Drawing Standards - 2013 (PDF)
Supplementary Reference Information
Regional Subdivision By-Law (PDF)
Traffic Impact Guidelines (PDF)
Construction Mitigation Plan (CMP) Guidelines (PDF)
Temporary Traffic Control Supplement (PDF)
Integrated Mobility Plan (PDF)
Multi-Modal Level of Service (MMLOS) Framework (PDF)
Moving Forward Together Plan (PDF)
Rapid Transit Strategy (PDF)
Complete Streets Checklist (PDF)