BILL NO. 176
(as introduced)
1st Session, 65th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
4 Charles III, 2025
Private Member's Public Bill
Housing Acceleration Act
The Honourable Derek Mombourquette
Sydney–Membertou
First Reading: October 3, 2025
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Increase the Housing Supply
1 This Act may be cited as the Housing Acceleration Act.
"affordable housing" means housing that meets the affordability criteria established by the regulations;
"Minister" means the Minister of Growth and Development;
"Department" means the Department of Growth and Development;
"municipality" means a regional municipality, town or county or district municipality;
"non-market housing provider" means a non-profit organization, co-operative housing provider or Indigenous-led housing provider.
3 (1) The Minister shall make regulations establishing annual housing targets for each municipality.
(2) The housing targets must reflect population growth projections, infrastructure capacity and provincial housing needs.
(3) Each municipality shall work collaboratively with the Department to develop and implement strategies to meet or exceed its target.
(4) The exercise by the Minister of the authority contained in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
4 (1) Notwithstanding any municipal by-law, as-of-right residential use must be permitted for up to four dwelling units on any lot where a detached dwelling is permitted.
(2) A municipality may, in consultation with the Department, identify areas appropriate for increased density, including lands near transit corridors and universities.
5 (1) A municipality shall approve or refuse a complete building permit application within 90 days the complete application.
(2) Where no decision is made on a building permit application within the time provided by subsection (1), the Department may provide support and guidance to assist the municipality in resolving any application backlog.
(3) A municipality shall establish an expedited approval stream for applications submitted by non-market housing providers that have previously completed one or more housing projects in good standing.
(4) An expedited approval stream under subsection (3) must include
(a) priority processing of complete applications;
(b) a shorter time for decisions than provided for in subsection (1); and
(c) consultation support from the Department, if requested.
6 (1) The Minister may make regulations to accelerate certification and recognition of skilled trades required for housing construction, including recognition of credentials obtained outside the Province.
(2) The exercise by the Minister of the authority contained in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
7 (1) Each municipality shall submit to the Minister an annual report for the municipality respecting housing starts, completions and approvals.
(2) The Minister shall table in the House of Assembly an annual report for the Province on housing targets and progress.
(3) Reports under this Section are intended to promote transparency and collaboration.
8 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
(a) prescribing housing targets;
(b) defining "affordability criteria";
(c) prescribing reporting requirements;
(d) establishing the requirements of expedited approval streams for non-market housing providers;
(e) respecting any matter or thing the Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purpose of this Act.
(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority contained in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.