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Do I need a permit?

Development and/or building permits are required in West Hants for most construction projects. If you are renovating an existing building, constructing a new house, or putting up a storage shed, you need to obtain a permit before starting the job - even when under 100 sq feet.

Permits are also needed for small projects such as signs, awnings, decks, porches, swimming pools, fences, and garden sheds and for repairs, alterations, additions, or demolition of existing buildings ( pdf Demolition Permit Application (187 KB) ). 

Even if no construction occurs, a development permit is needed for a "change of use" such as a new business (see Before You Build and the  pdf Building Code Act By-law, RB-001 (176 KB) ).

What is the first step?

Please call ahead to discuss your project and, if necessary, to book an appointment with Planning and Development Department staff.  We will help you to determine ahead of time if your project is permitted in the zone and what the requirements are. Staff can also advise you of approvals and application forms which may be required from other departments and agencies.

You can reach the Planning and Development Department at 798-8391 Ext. 115, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Administrative Assistant) , Ext. 122, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Building Officials), Ext 120, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Development Officer) or Ext 131, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Development Officer).

What information do I need?

You will need the following basic information for your development/building permit application:

• Property Details: location including the street address, Property Identification Number (PID) (if available) or your Assessment Account Number, size of the lot, and the registered owner's name. Please provide a copy of a location certificate (see below) or survey plan if available.

• Land Use Information: a complete description of the existing use of the land and any buildings already on the property (e.g. farmland, vacant), and a description of your project or the proposed use of the land and buildings (e.g. residential - single unit dwelling).

• Construction Details: full construction information, including estimated value, size and dimensions of the building, and details of foundation and footings, size and spacing of floor joists, roof rafters or trusses, interior and exterior walls, insulation, vapour barrier, etc. You may wish to have your contractor assist with this part of the application form. Complete building plans or blueprints are required for larger projects and in other circumstances as determined by the Building Official.

• About Slabs: All structural slabs require to be engineered - except a detached accessory building which is 1 storey in height and a maximum 592 square feet. If in doubt, call the Building Officials Ext 122.

Sketch: showing the size and location of all existing and proposed buildings or additions. The application form includes a blank plot plan or you may wish to sketch the project on a location certificate or survey plan, if available. The plan must show the lot dimensions and the distance from the exterior of the building to the front, side, and rear lot lines, as well as the distance to any existing buildings. Driveways should be sketched in and the names of abutting streets should be shown. All necessary measurements should be taken ahead of time as it is important to be as accurate as possible. Please contact our Administrative Assistant Ext 115 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. should you like an aerial view document to prepare your plot plan. Be prepared to provide the civic number, PID or Assessment Account number so we can bring up the property.

• Other Approvals: Your project may require approval from either the municipal Public Works Department and other agencies such as the Nova Scotia Environment and provincial Department of Public Works. If your property is three (3) acres or less in size, you may require a location certificate (more details below).

• Fee: Fees are determined based on the following fee structure.

Application Forms

The following application forms are required for new development and may be picked up from the Planning and Development Department or print from this:
•  pdf Development and Building Permit Application (279 KB)

• Nova Scotia Environment Approval for On-site Sewage Disposal System for properties not serviced by municipal central sewer or pdf Municipal Right of Way Permit Application (340 KB)  for properties serviced with municipal water and/or sewer. (The municipal application form is also for driveways.)

• Nova Scotia Department of Public Works Provincial Right of Way Permit for driveway access on provincial public roads or  pdf Municipal Right of Way Permit (340 KB)  for driveway access on municipal streets. (The municipal application is also for water/sewer.)

•   pdf Authorization Statement (127 KB)  to accompany permits where the applicant is not the property owner

Please note: The Planning and Development Department provides these application forms as a service to the public. However, it is your responsibility to complete and submit all required forms to the appropriate agencies and, once approved, to supply copies of the approvals to the Planning and Development Department. The Planning and Development Department cannot issue a permit until all external approvals have been received.

What to consider?

On-site Sewage Disposal

If your property is in an area where there is no municipal central sewer, you will require approval from the Nova Scotia Environment for the installation of an on-site sewage disposal system.

Application forms may be obtained (can be emailed) from the Planning and Development Department or the nearest Department of Environment Office. You will need to hire a Qualified Person  to assess your lot and design a system. The completed application form must be submitted, along with an application fee, to Nova Scotia Environment. Once Nova Scotia Environment has approved the system, you must provide a copy of the approval (DOE On-Site Septic Notification Receipt) to the Planning and Development Department before your development or building permit can be issued.

Water Supply

If your property is in the community of Windsor, Falmouth or Three Mile Plains and you require municipal water, you should contact the municipal Public Works Department at 798-8391 Ext. 125 to discuss pressure requirements. The Water Utility cannot guarantee an uninterrupted supply or a sufficient or uniform pressure.

If municipal water services are not available in your area, you should determine whether you will have an adequate well water supply before you construct your new home. You may wish to talk to neighbours or well drillers. Nova Scotia Department of Environment's well drilling records are another possible source of information.

Location Certificates

The Municipality requires location certificates for all new main buildings on lots three (3) acres or less in size, and for other projects at the discretion of the Development Officer or Building Official.  A location certificate, prepared by a Nova Scotia Land Surveyor, shows the location of a building or footings on a lot. Location certificates are required to ensure that new buildings conform to zone requirements. If a project requires a location certificate, a footings permit will be issued and construction may not proceed past the footings stage until the Development Officer has reviewed the location certificate and the Building Official is satisfied with the footings. At that time, the full building permit will be issued.

Please remember that construction may not begin until after building and/or development permits have been issued.

When do I need an inspection?

During construction, periodic inspections are required to ensure construction is being done in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada. Your permit package will include a checklist of required inspections of which you should be aware. You are responsible for notifying the Building Official (798-8391 Ext. 122) at least 48 hours before an inspection is required. For new homes, inspections at the following stages are required

• Before pouring footings (when footing forms are in place)
• Footings in place
• Subfloor plumbing
• Subfloor and foundation insulation
• Before backfill
• Except for manufactured and modular homes,
   o the framing, roof, plumbing, and mechanical systems
   o insulation and vapour barrier before wall framing is covered, and
• For manufactured and modular homes,
   o superstructure installation and anchorage systems
   o foundation insulation and vapour barrier before wall framing is covered, and plumbing connections below the first floor, and
• Before occupancy

Keep in mind that the National Building Code of Canada is only a minimum set of standards. Our inspections are not a substitute for the care you would normally take if you were doing the work yourself or relying on a contractor to complete your project. Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations - Building Code Act

 

The By-law Enforcement Division is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Region's By-Laws, Dangerous and Unsightly Premises under the Municipal Government Act and parking under the Motor Vehicle Act.  Our By-law Enforcement Office can be reached by calling our office during regular business hours at 902-798-8391, Option 7 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

After-Hours Service 

Special Constables employed with the West Hants Regional Municipality will not normally respond to after-hours calls or complaints unless the call involves an event which meets the description of an emergency or an event involving a dog as described below as a non-emergency. For an emergency call 911.

For further information on by-law services, please call during regular hours at 902-798-8391 Option 7.

Filing a Complaint

When filing a complaint it is important to include as much detail as possible along with the nature of the complaint. Including dates and times of the alleged infraction, where they took place, and the civic address (if known) of the person who has broken the by-law. You will also be required to provide your name and contact number when filing a complaint. Your contact information will never be disclosed without your permission. 

If there are concerns dealing with neglect, abuse or abandonment of animals contact the Nova Scotia SPCA at 1-888-703-7722.

Concerns regarding livestock (horses, cows, pigs, etc.) should be directed to the Department of Agriculture Farm Animal Health and Welfare at 902-896-2299.

Please contact a local animal welfare group if you have concerns regarding domestic animals such as cats, rabbits, birds, etc. 

Complaints can be filed by calling our office at 902-798-8391 Option 7 or by emailing our By-law Officers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or click on this link to file complaint online: Dangerous or Unsightly Complaint

Complaints received after hours are not generally responded to unless the call involves an event which meets the description of an emergency as seen here:  pdf ADBE-003.05 By-law Enforcement On Call Guidelines (94 KB)

Dog Control

The Dog By-law, RD-002, is used to regulate dangerous, roaming and noisy dogs. Contact our office at 902-798-8391 Option 7 to issue a complaint. Please visit Dog Licenses for information about dog tags.

Lost Dogs

If your dog is lost, the following resources may be helpful for locating and reuniting with your pet:

Animal Control Officer- Telephone 902-798-8391

Local animal hospitals such as:

  • Saint Mary Animal Hospital - 902-472-3037
  • Avon Animal Hospital - 902-798-4633
  • Cornwallis Veterinarians Ltd.- 902-798-5502

Facebook - Nova Scotia Lost Dog Network

COLLECTION SCHEDULES 

Curbside pickup routes are divided into 4 collection areas: Area 1, Area 2, Area 3, and Windsor Area. Within these collection areas, in total, there are 10 separate collection routes operating in WHRM! 

To view your personal collection schedule: Enter your Address HERE 
 

WHRM provides an updated waste collection schedule each year, which includes a sorting guide and collection guidelines for each of the 4 areas. Find the 2024 edition below:
 

AREA 1: Area 1 is divided into 4 collection routes, running from Monday to Thursday

Includes communities of: Falmouth, Upper Falmouth, Mt. Denson (Hwy 1 from Falmouth to Apple Tree Rd.), Leminster, Vaughan, Upper Vaughan, Wile Settlement, Mill Section, Windsor Forks, Martock, Garlands Crossing, Currys Corner, Three Mile Plains, Newport Station (West of Hwy 101), St. Croix (West of Hwy 101).
 

AREA 2: Area 2 is divided into 4 collection routes, running from Monday to Thursday

Includes communities of: Walton, Pembroke, Cambridge, Bramber, Cheverie, Kempt Shore, Summerville, Riverside, Cogmagun, Upper Burlington, Centre Burlington, Lower Burlington, Belmont, Avondale, Poplar Grove, Mantua, Wentworth Creek, Gypsum Mines, Sweets Corner, Woodville, Brooklyn, Newport Corner, Ellershouse, Ardoise, McKay Section, Greenhill, Hillsvale. 
 

AREA 3: Area 3 consists of 1 collection route, operating on Fridays

Includes communities of: Hantsport, Bishopville, Hants Border (Bog Rd from and including Old Post Rd to Hantsport), Mt. Denson (Hwy 1 from and including Apple Tree Road/ Aberdeen Beach Rd to Hantsport, McKinley Rd and Schurman Rd). 
 

 WINDSOR AREA: Windsor Area consists of 1 collection route, operating on Fridays 

This applies to all residences previously included in the Former Town Limits  for the Town of Windsor collection area.
 

 


waste contacts & resources

 



TO ENSURE COLLECTION, PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CURBSIDE GUIDELINES:

 

  • NO plastic or plastic-like material is permitted in the Green Cart, including compost bags and other bio-degradable plastic.

    • Paper compost bags are suitable for green cart use 

  • CLEAR BAGS ONLY -- no solid-coloured bags are permitted for curbside collection*

    • For Garbage, 1 small solid-coloured 'privacy bag' can be placed into each clear garbage bag if needed. 

    • For Recycling, clear colourless OR clear-blue bags can be used. There is no 'privacy bag' permitted for the recycling stream. 

    • *Windsor Residents: until the new WHRM Solid Waste Bylaw is merged, Windsor residents are still allowed to place ONE(1) solid-coloured bag for collection on garbage day only. See additional information under "Collection Limits" below. 

  • WHRM does not have a "spring cleanup" collection event for bulky items. Instead...

    • Each Garbage day (bi-weekly), you can swap 1 bag for 1 (non-metal) bulky item, all year long! (i.e. couch, a bundle of siding, vacuum, mattress, etc.)

    • Weight limit: 70kg (154 lbs)  |  General size limit: 1.22m x 1.83m  |  Bundle hard-to-collect items like lumber, carpet, etc. 

      • Mattresses and box springs are an exception to these sizing restrictions... but remember - only one bulky item at a time! 

    • Additional bulky items should be stored until your next garbage day, or brought to the West Hants landfill for disposal. 

  • Bulky Metal is collected once per year during a Special Collection event. See details below under "Special Collections". 
  • See "Collection Limits" detailed below for bag limits 


 To ensure collection, ITEMS MUST BE PLACED CURBSIDE BY 7:00AM on the morning of your collection day

 

COLLECTION LIMITS

 

**For AREA 1, AREA 2 & AREA 3 only - See the Windsor Area collection limits below** 

  • Garbage: 6 bags (OR 5 bags + 1 non-metal bulky item)
  • Recycling: 10 bags (or swap each bag with a bundle of cardboard)
  • Green Cart: 1 full green cart. Must be able to close the lid. 
  • Leaf & Yard Waste: You are permitted to place up to 3 paper bags of leaf & yard waste next to your green cart on your compost day.
    • You can swap 1 paper bag for 1 bundle of brush
    • Brush must be tied into neat bundles. Branches should be no thicker than 3", no longer than 1.2m (4ft) and no heavier than 22kg (55lbs)

 

**For  WINDSOR AREA  only **

  • Garbage: 4 bags total + 1 non-metal bulky item. (1 clear bag can be swapped for 1 black bag)
  • Recycling: 4 bags (blue bag #1 & #2 combined)
  • Green Cart: 1 full green cart. Must be able to close the lid. 
  • Leaf & Yard Waste: Windsor residents have a special collection for this type of waste that occurs on the last Monday of every month, from April - November only. You are allowed:
    • 2 bundles of brush (no more than 105cm in length or 25kg in weight), neatly & securely tied into bundles.
    • An unlimited number of bags containing leaves and grass clippings
    • paper yard waste bags OR securely tied orange or clear plastic bags can be used
    • PLEASE NOTE: Disposal of trees and large amounts of hedge or shrubbery is not permitted under this special collection.  

  


SPECIAL COLLECTION EVENTS

Curbside disposal is available for certain materials during "special collection" events: 

waste_section_of_website_2.pngMetal Waste

 Metal Collection Week occurs once per year, typically in June. There is no limit to the number of metal pieces placed curbside, but some restrictions do apply. Learn more here: Metal disposal in WHRM 

Please note: Fridges, freezers, air conditioners, water coolers and other items that contain refrigerants can be tricky items to dispose of. Because of a chemical they contain called CFCs (freeon), they fall under the 'Household Hazardous Waste' (HHW) category, and some extra steps will be required. Click here to read more on the disposal of items containing refrigerant. 

 

Untitled_design_1.pngChristmas Trees  

  • In the moth of January on your regular organic (green bin)  pick up dates your tree can be placed roadside for pick up. Windsor Residents will have a scheduled date which will be announced in December 2024.
  • Alternatively, Christmas trees can be brought to the West Hants Landfill anytime for FREE disposal, where the trees are chipped and upcycled as landfill cover.

    • WINDSOR AREA : there is an area-rated collection event for Christmas Trees in January; please see "Special Collections" below for more information. 

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 Q&A: Why are waste guidelines different depending on where I live?

 

The following video explains why WHRM residents see differences in waste guidelines depending on where they live! 

Educational Video:

 

 Contacts & Resources