Newcomers Guide

Moving to a new place can be challenging, especially if this is your first time living in Canada. Drop by Town Hall at 400 Main St. and we'll happily answer any questions you have about your new home. Our Economic Development Officer and the Mayor would love to meet you! To find essential community services, please see our Community Directory.

On behalf of everyone here, welcome to Yarmouth!

Our Town

The Town of Yarmouth is the regional centre of southwestern Nova Scotia. The Town's population of nearly 7,000 people doubles on weekdays with the influx of workers and students from surrounding areas. Yarmouth is the financial, business, education, and lifestyle centre for the 70,000 people who live in the tri-counties of Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne. The port of Yarmouth, located in the heart of the world's largest lobster fishing grounds, is central to Yarmouth's history and development. With Canada's most lucrative fishing industry, Yarmouth and the Acadian Shores have a culture and economy historically tied to fishing and related industries.

We're located at the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia. New Brunswick is located to the north, separated by the Bay of Fundy. Halifax is just over 300 kilometres away, while Maine, USA is located to the northwest. Our area has an oceanic climate as the maritime influences temper any major hot or cold fluctuations. There is little snow accumulation during the winters because of the mild temperature. Precipitation is significant and distributed throughout the year, while summers are relatively mild.

Checklist for Moving In

• Apply for a family doctor. Call 1 (844) 491-5891 if you're looking for a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or other primary health care service. There are also a variety of programs and services available to people without family physicians, outlined by the Nova Scotia Health Authority.
• Call for community services. By calling 211, you can get access to thousands of essential services anywhere in Nova Scotia, including refugee assistance, newcomer services, and more.
• School registration. Registering your children for school is quick and easy – to get started, visit our Education page and find contact information for local schools.
• Taxes and utilities. Learn how to access water, sewer, and electric services, plus resources for paying taxes.
• Update your drivers license. Head to the local Access Nova Scotia office at 10 Starrs Rd.

What You Need To Know

• Active living. Discover what you can do to stay active in your new home.
• Animal services. How to register your dog and responsibilities as a pet owner.
• Bill payments. Where to pay your municipal taxes, water bill, and more.
• Business services. Whether you're running a business, or thinking about starting a new one, learn more on our Economic Development page.
• Building and renovating. If you're making changes to your new home, you'll need to apply for a building permit.
• Culture and heritage. Learn about Yarmouth's iconic past as you become part of its future.
• Emergency services. Police, fire, and medical services are available whenever you need them. If someone's health, safety, or property is threatened and help is needed right away, call 911 right away.
• Events. Connect with your new community at civic events and festivals!
• Local media. Tune into 95.5 on your radio for CJLS, subscribe to the Yarmouth Vanguard, and watch Eastlink TV.  
• Minimum housing standards. Know your rights as a new resident of Yarmouth.
• Passport services. You can update your passport at the Yarmouth Service Canada Centre at 13 Willow St.
• Separating your garbage. In Yarmouth, we use a 2 bag system – one for paper products, the other for plastic and metal. Along with roadside collection for solid waste, we also recommend special steps for pharmaceutical waste, hazardous waste, and electronics. Learn more on our Garbage, Recycling & Composting page.
• Transportation. Yarmouth has a range of transportation services, including a transit bus, shuttles, and ferry service to the United States.
• Weather and tides. Yarmouth's temperate climate and high tides can take some adjustment. Check out the weather, tide, and pollen reports to stay on top of things.
• Winter! It can be pretty intense. Learn about our winter services, and your responsibilities as a resident, on our Snow & Ice Management page. Drive safe!
• See a problem? We want to hear about it! Reach out on our Report a Problem page.