The Regional Plan establishes long-range, region-wide planning policies outlining where, when, and how future growth and development should take place.
Vision and guiding principle: 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.
The plan seeks to address the needs and view of all sectors of the region, recognizing the diversity of its citizens, community and geography.
Please see below for a link to the current plan, which has been in effect since October 18, 2014 and includes amendments up to May 2025.
Visit the Shape Your City Project Page for the latest updates.
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.
Regional Plan review – Phase 4 amendments
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.
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 nineteen maps are provided below in PDF, while Maps 1-12 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
Schedule H - Interim Growth Management Area (Map)
Schedule I - Future Transportation Routes (Map)
Schedule J - Beaver Bank and Hammonds Plains Growth Control Areas (Map)