Financial policies — Halifax, Nova Scotia

Reserves, assets, investment, and spending policies.

Regional municipality of Halifax has 10 adopted policies on file, verified against the original documents on 2026-06-05.

Administrative Order 10 — Respecting Partial Tax Exemption for Taxation adopted policy

Provides for partial tax exemption on certain property classes. Sets criteria and process for eligible properties to receive reduced municipal taxation.

Administrative Order 15 — Respecting License, Permit, and Processing Fees adopted policy

Establishes fees for municipal licences, permits, and processing services. Amended periodically; effective September 2023 version includes engineering inspection fees for new infrastructure.

Administrative Order 16 — Solid Waste Fees Administrative Order adopted policy

Sets fees for solid waste management services in HRM. Amended effective July 1, 2023.

Administrative Order 18 — Respecting Revenue Collections Policy adopted policy

Establishes the municipality's policy and procedures for collection of outstanding revenue, including property tax arrears and other municipal receivables.

Administrative Order 20 — Respecting Fees for Cemetery Services adopted policy

Sets fees for cemetery services provided by the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Administrative Order 2014-015-ADM — Respecting Reserve Funding Strategies adopted policy

Establishes HRM's framework for municipal reserve funds, including purposes, contributions, and withdrawal authorities for capital and operating reserves.

Administrative Order 2016-008-ADM — Respecting the Reduction of Taxes Payable for Certain Residential Properties adopted policy

Provides a one-time residential property tax reduction where assessed value increase exceeds the 10-year average. Allows unused reductions to carry forward or transfer to another same-owner residential property.

Administrative Order 2018-004-ADM — Respecting Real Property Transactions adopted policy

Delegates to the CAO and designated staff the authority to acquire and dispose of interests in real property at market value, setting thresholds and approval requirements for different transaction types.

Administrative Order 2019-005-ADM — Respecting Community Area Rates adopted policy

Establishes the framework for creating and using community area rates to fund local services and infrastructure in specific parts of HRM, outside the urban tax area.

Administrative Order 2022-008-ADM — Respecting Area Rates to Fund Sidewalks Outside the Urban Tax Area adopted policy

Implements area rates to fund sidewalk construction and maintenance in rural and suburban parts of HRM outside the Urban Tax Area, supporting the Active Transportation Rural Program.

Machine-readable: finance-policy.json · Official website: https://www.halifax.ca · Last verified 2026-06-05 · Financial policies across Canada