Halifax Planning Changes to Support Housing Supply

Official title: Planning Changes to Support Housing Supply

Closed Community Planning Housing & Communities

Halifax Regional Council has approved sweeping changes to land use rules to address the housing crisis. The Province of Nova Scotia mandated these changes after rejecting the municipality's 2025 Regional Plan. The amendments allow more housing types across the region, reduce parking requirements, and enable short-term rentals in rural areas. Provincial approval is still needed before the changes take effect.

Why This Matters

Looking for a place to live in Halifax? These changes could mean more apartments, townhouses, and secondary suites in your neighbourhood. Homeowners might be able to add backyard suites or rent out a unit short-term. If you're worried about development changing your community's character, this affects you too.

What Could Change

Residential uses would be permitted in all zoning areas across Halifax. Parking minimums would be reduced or eliminated for new developments. Rural areas could allow short-term rentals like Airbnb. Secondary suites and backyard suites would be easier to build. Several specific properties would be rezoned for residential or industrial development.

Key Issues

Should residential uses be permitted in all zoning areas?
Should parking requirements be reduced to encourage housing development?
Should short-term rentals be allowed in rural areas?
Should secondary suites and backyard suites be easier to build?

How to Participate

Review the Minimum Planning Requirements Summary to understand what's changing.
Check the marked-up planning documents to see specific amendments to your area's land use by-laws.

What Happened

Halifax Regional Council approved the Planning Changes to Support Housing amendment package on December 11, 2025, following a public hearing. Public comments were received between October 8-24, 2025. The amendments are now subject to Provincial review before taking effect.