New Housing Regulations in HRM: Removing Barriers and Expanding Opportunities

Tim Houston’s government is taking decisive action to address the pressing need for housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). On August 21, 2024, new regulations were introduced to eliminate barriers and create more opportunities for housing development in HRM, aiming to tackle the ongoing housing crisis.

Getting Homes Built in the HRM

The new regulations under the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter mandate that increasing the housing supply must be the central focus in all land-use planning, regulations, and development decisions within HRM. John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, emphasized the importance of this move: “Nova Scotians need more housing, and that need is especially great in HRM. These regulations will ensure that increasing supply is a key focus in the municipal planning process and the prime consideration in development decisions.”

Key Changes to Housing Regulations

The regulations introduce several significant changes designed to facilitate housing development:

• Residential Uses in Most Zones: Residential developments will now be permitted in most zones, where appropriate, to maximize housing opportunities across HRM.
• Removal of On-Site Parking Requirements: For developments in the urban service area, on-site parking requirements will no longer be mandatory, making it easier to develop new housing projects.
• Height Restrictions and Density: Height restrictions will be adjusted to ensure they do not negatively impact density, particularly for mass timber residential developments.
• Flexibility for Residential Buildings: New rules remove unit-mix requirements and reduce the percentage of ground-floor commercial space required for residential buildings started before April 1, 2027.
• Permitting Manufactured and Temporary Housing: The regulations allow for manufactured housing, including modified shipping containers, in all residential zones, and permit temporary housing in all zones for employees working on or near a job site.
• Suburban Planning Strategy: HRM must adopt a secondary municipal planning strategy for suburban areas by January 31, 2025, to better accommodate growth in these regions.

Trusted Partner Program for Developers

A notable addition is the introduction of Canada’s first trusted partner program for qualified developers. This program will streamline and expedite services for developers with a proven track record of quality developments. The municipality will be required to adopt a bylaw supporting this program, with the deadline to be determined by the Minister.

Simplifying Planning Appeals

To further expedite housing development, changes in building color, cladding material, and the arrangement of windows and doors will now be considered non-substantive in planning appeals for residential developments. This change aims to reduce unnecessary delays in the approval process.

Addressing Housing Barriers: A Collaborative Effort

These new regulations align with recommendations from the HRM Housing Development Barrier Review conducted by Deloitte, which identified obstacles to rapidly increasing housing supply. The regulations also complement ongoing municipal efforts related to the federal housing accelerator program, ensuring a coordinated approach to solving HRM’s housing challenges.