Community Planning

Section A – Introduction

Section B – Citizen Engagement

Section C1 – Growth Management and Infrastructure

Section C2 – Healthy Public Realm

Section C3 – Urban Design & Community Character

Section C4 – Transportation

Section C5 – Parks, Open Space & Public Facilities

Section C6 – Residential Development

Section C7 – Economic Development

Section C8 – Rural Residential Development

Section C9 – Environment

Section C10 – Rural and Agricultural Lands

Section C11 – Tourism & Heritage

Section D – Realizing the Plan

Section E – Appendices

GFLUM Maps

2023 Municipal Planning Strategy Combined

Part 1 – Administration

Part 2 – Definitions

Part 3 – General Provisions 

Part 4 – Signage

Part 5 – Rural Zones

Part 6 – Residential Neigbourhood Zones

Part 7 – Mixed Use Zones

Part 8 – Separated Commercial Zones

Part 9 – Community Use Zones

Part 10 – Environmental Zones

Part 11 – Appendix A Land Use Bylaw Maps

• LUB Maps

Part 11 – Appendix B Form Based Zone Requirements for the Village Core

Part 11 – Appendix C Site Plan Approval Forms

Part 11 – Appendix D Environmental Study

Part 11 – Appendix E Large Scale Wind Turbines

Part 11 – Appendix F MC Special Area Map

2023 Land Use Bylaw Combined

View the Bylaw

East Hants Council are considering amendments to the Subdivision Bylaw that require stormwater management plans to be completed for all new developments in East Hants. Currently, stormwater management plans are only required in Growth Management Areas or other select areas.

Read the Initial Staff Report 

Public Information Meeting Presentation

Public Information Meeting Notes

Second Staff Report

Final Report

East Hants Council are considering amendments to the second access requirements for the number of lots located on a single road access before a second road access to a collector or arterial road is required.

Second Road Access Options – Report 1

Subdivision Areas Exceeding 100 Lots

Single Access Areas – 100 Lots Plus – Options Report

Vulnerability Assessment – Single Access Areas with over 100 lots

Second Access Requirements – Supplement Report – Background Information & Consultation with Fire Services – May 2025

• Appendix A -2006 Staff Report
• Appendix B – 2013 Staff Report
• Appendix C- NSPW Letter 2025

East Hants Council is considering amendments to the Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations from the Land Use Bylaw regarding the minimum lot size requirements and the design requirements.

Accessory Dwelling Units- First Report- June 2025

Accessory Dwelling Units- Final Report- September 2025

An application from Phillip Vroegh of Sunny Point Farms to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw to reduce the minimum setback requirement for an intensive livestock operation use in the Rural Use North (RU-2) Zone.

Initial Staff Report- November 2025

A development agreement is a legal contract between Council and the property owner. It sets out design requirements and land use regulations that a  development proposal must follow. Typically, a development agreement will deal with architectural design, permitted uses, landscaping and site design.

The Municipal Planning Strategy sets out certain types of land uses which must be considered by the development agreement. Uses which have potential to create land use conflicts or large scale and significant development proposals are often considered only by development agreement. The development agreement process ensures the interest and policies of the Municipality are addressed when considering new development proposals.

No development shall be undertaken before the agreement is signed, registered at the Registry of Deeds and necessary permits are obtained from the Municipality.

A property’s zoning determines what type of use is permitted and regulates how a property can be developed. When a land owner wishes to develop a use not permitted by a property’s current zoning or develop the property in a way out of the existing zoning regulations, they may have the option to apply for a zoning change of the property. The rezoning process gives the Municipality the opportunity to review development proposals that are not permitted as-of-right under the Land Use Bylaw.

No development shall be undertaken before the rezoning is finalized and the necessary permits are obtained from the Municipality.

Making the Application

The application process for a development agreement and a rezoning are similar. The applicant must submit a letter of application addressed to:

The Director of Planning and Development
Municipality of East Hants
Box 230 170-15 Commerce Court
Elmsdale, Nova Scotia
B2S 3K5

Letter of Application

The letter of application must provide the following information:

1. The name of the property owner(s) requesting the application or, in the event the applicant is not the property owner, a letter of consent from the property owner will be required
2. A mailing address and telephone number of the applicant. Please include an email address if you wish to be contacted in that manner
3. The location of the property
4. A brief description of the purpose of the application outlining any related development proposal
5. A cheque fulfilling the application fee and deposit

Learn more about Planning & Development Fees

Site Plans

In some cases, a site or building plan may be required.  All plans should be professional quality but do not have to be certified. Plans must be submitted on 11” x 17” paper and must be suitable for reproduction.

Development Agreement Applications

In addition to the information prescribed above, an application for a development agreement may require the following items:

1. A site plan, drawn to scale, showing the proposed development indicating the size and dimensions of any new buildings, landscaping, parking areas, the size of parking stalls, etc.
2. A PID number (45######) for the property
3. A copy of a plan of subdivision
4. Renderings, building plans or architectural elevation drawings of any proposed structure

Application Fees

The letter of application must be accompanied by a cheque made payable to the Municipality of East Hants. The fee includes a non-refundable administration fee and a deposit to cover advertising costs, postage for information mailouts and public meeting costs. Any unused portion of the deposit will be refunded and any outstanding balance will be billed to the applicant.

Evaluation

After all required information is received an evaluation of the application is conducted by the Planning and Development Department.  Depending on the nature of the development  proposal, Staff may request comments from other agencies such as the Municipality’s Infrastructure and Operations Department, Nova Scotia Environment, and the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.  Planning Staff also conduct a public participation program to solicit input from the public. Based on this information, Planning Staff evaluate the application to determine if it’s consistent with the East Hants Official Community Plan.

Once an evaluation of the application is complete, a Staff report and recommendation are presented to the Planning Advisory Committee. This committee is responsible for reviewing the application and making a recommendation to Council.

Public Hearing

Rezonings and Development Agreements require approval at an advertised public hearing of Council. It is advisable for the applicant to attend the hearing. At the hearing, Council evaluates the recommendations and information received from Staff, but may decide additional information is required and defer any decision on the application to a later date.

Decision of Council

Following the public hearing, Council will vote on the application. A decision by Council to approve or refuse a Development Agreement or Rezoning application may be subject to appeal to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. Within 14 days of publication of a notice of approval or of the applicant receiving notice of Council’s refusal, the decision of Council may be appealed. A decision to approve or refuse an application is not final until the appeal period expires and all appeals are exhausted.