Planning & Development — Welcome
Good planning helps a community set goals for growth and decide how to meet them while protecting social, economic, and environmental values.
The Planning and Economic Development Department manages land use in the Town of Yarmouth. We:
- decide where development can happen,
- enforce development and building permits and by-laws, and
- support economic development.
Before you start work: Contact the Planning Department before beginning any project in town — from a deck to a large commercial or residential development.
The Planning and Development team includes: Director, Planner, Development Officer, Building Official, Junior Building Official, By-law Enforcement Officer, GIS Technician, and Administrative Assistant.
Where to find information
Information is grouped into three sections:
1. Planning
Planning includes the town’s planning vision and goals, the Land Use By-law, and interactive zoning maps. Also covers planning processes and application steps.
2. Development and Building Permits
Details development permits (where structures can be located) and building permits (how structures must be built). Also covers demolition and occupancy permits and variances. You can find guidelines, checklists, application forms, and fee schedules in this section.
3. By-law enforcement
Explains how the Town enforces by-laws and meets legal requirements, such as minimum housing standards, vacant building rules, and dangerous or unsightly premises.
Contact us
We are located at:
Yarmouth Town Hall (third floor)
400 Main Street
Yarmouth, N.S.
B5A 1G2
Tel: (902) 742-1505
Fax: (902) 749-1474