Temporary Planning Application Intake Process
Please note the municipality has instituted a temporary solution for the intake of planning applications:
• Applicants are encouraged to submit new planning applications for Rezoning, Municipal Plan Amendments, Development Agreements, or Downtown Halifax Site Plan Approvals digitally. Digital applications may be submitted via e-mail in PDF format (each email limited to a maximum 30 MB file size) to the attention of Carl Purvis – Planning Applications Program Manager.
• Revised drawings and/or any amended application information for current files can also be submitted digitally, directly to the planner assigned to your file. Planners have the resources needed to review and circulate these materials electronically to all involved stakeholders.
• For the time being, applications will be accepted without the required fees. The submission of fees will be resolved as part of the application review process.
The municipality is committed to taking important steps in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for helping with the community effort to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Throughout this very difficult time, the safety of our customers and staff remain our top priority. We truly appreciate your patience as we design and implement this new process.
Why submit a Planning Application?
A planning application form is submitted when a rezoning, development agreement, or site plan approval outside of Downtown Halifax is applied for. These are applications which are consistent with municipal planning policies and can be considered by a Community Council.
Why submit a SMPS Amendment?
A SMPS Amendment is submitted when the desired use or development on a piece of land is not permitted within the existing Council approved policies that apply to the area. Amendments to an SMPS are significant undertakings and Council is under no obligation to consider such requests. Amendments should be only considered within the broader planning context or when there is reason to believe that there has been a change to the circumstances since the policy was adopted, or last reviewed.
Downtown Halifax Site Plan Approval
A Downtown Halifax Substantive Site Plan Approval is submitted when development is being proposed within the Downtown Halifax Land Use By-law area, and this development is not exempt from a Substantive Site Plan Approval Application as per the terms of the Downtown Halifax land By-law in Section 5(11). Under the site plan approval process, development proposals within Downtown Halifax Plan area must meet the land use and building envelope requirements of the Land Use By-law (LUB), as well as the requirements of the By-law’s Design Manual. The process requires approvals by both the Development Officer and the Design Review Committee. Applicants for a Substantive Site Plan Approval should complete the Downtown Halifax Substantive Site Plan Approval Application Form , and also consult the Downtown Halifax Site Plan Approval Application Submission Requirements checklist to confirm what information is required at the time of application.