Government
How and When to Engage with Council
General Information
How do I contact my Councillor?
You can contact your district's Councillor by phone, email, or mail.
| Councillor | District | Phone | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warden John Cunningham | District 1 | 902-740-5332 | 932 Highway 1 Hebron, NS B5A 5Z5 |
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| Councillor Daniel Muise | District 2 | 902-740-0395 | 932 Highway 1 Hebron, NS B5A 5Z5 |
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| Councilor Phil Mooney | District 3 | 902-749-6379 | 932 Highway 1 Hebron, NS B5A 5Z5 |
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| Councillor Jim Baxter | District 4 | 902-740-0416 | 932 Highway 1 Hebron, NS B5A 5Z5 |
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| Deputy Warden Trevor Cunningham | District 5 | 902-740-3086 | 932 Highway 1 Hebron, NS B5A 5Z5 |
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| Councillor Loren Cushing | District 6 | 902-740-2897 | 932 Highway 1 Hebron, NS B5A 5Z5 |
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| Councillor Trevor Perry | District 7 | 902-749-6951 | |
932 Highway 1 Hebron, NS B5A 5Z5 |
Who is my polling district Councillor?
If you are unsure who your Councillor is, please contact Jenny Porter, Municipal Clerk, by emailing
What can I discuss with a Councillor?
You can contact a Councillor to discuss any issues, concerns, or feedback on local issues, water & sewer services, sidewalks, events, by-laws, policies, planning, recreation, and more.
How can I get an item for discussion on a Council agenda?
First, discuss the item with your Councillor. Should the item need a broader discussion, the Councillor will request the Warden to have the item added to a future Council meeting agenda.
How can I get involved?
The Municipality is frequently seeking volunteers to sit on different Committees and Boards. For a full list of vacancies visit Voluntary Committees, or call the office at 902-742-7159. An application process is conducted through the Human Resources department and then submitted to Council for decision.
What happens if I disagree with a Council decision?
If you disagree with a decision made Council, it is important to contact your Councillor directly to discuss it. If the decision is regarding legislation, then you can provide input verbally or in writing at a Public Hearing.
Can I speak at a Council Meeting?
Even though Council meetings are open for the public to watch and listen to – either in person or online, the public cannot participate by speaking or engaging with Council during the meeting.
Anyone who is disruptive from the gallery may be asked to leave the room and/or building.
By-Law Approvals
What is the process for adopting a By-law?
By-laws are created using a formal process found in Part 7, Section 168 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
The steps required for adopting or amending a By-law are as follows:
- Staff Review
- First Reading
- Public Hearing (if required)
- Second Reading
- Minster Approval (if required)
- Notice of Approval
How do I find out what By-laws the Municipality currently has?
You can view or download all active By-laws or contact the Administration Office at 902-742-7159 to obtain paper copies.
How do I know what By-law and Policies Council is considering adopting or amending?
Early each year, staff creates a Legislative Agenda for Council’s approval. This agenda outlines which existing By-laws (and Policies) are up for review as well as new By-laws and policies being developed. Check agendas for January and February each year.
Where can I find Notice of Readings, Public Hearings, and Approvals?
By legislative requirement, advertisements of readings are placed in a local newspaper, Municipal Website, and the Municipality’s social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram).
How can I provide feedback on the By-law?
Not all By-laws require Public Hearings. If the By-law requires a Public Hearing, that is where Council listens to what residents have to say before a Second Reading takes place. Residents can provide their opinion/concern verbally at the meeting, or provide a written submission which is placed on the Public Hearing meeting agenda that Council reviews.
At any time, if you have a question, or concern, or want to discuss any By-law, please contact your Councillor directly.
Planning Decisions
There are three planning documents: Subdivision By-law, Municipal Planning Strategy, and Land Use By-law. These documents are essential for the Municipality and provide the foundation for development, zoning, and land uses for our residents, businesses, and industrial companies.
When can I provide input on Municipal Planning Documents?
You can always contact any member of the Planning Advisory Committee or your Councillor directly if you have questions or concerns related to a planning document. However, engagement sessions are held for specific types of applications. Information on engagement sessions is posted through a newspaper, website, social media, and radio.
Amendments to these documents follow the same Reading and Public Hearing process as a By-law.
As always, if you have a concern or feedback, please contact your Councillor directly, anytime.
Public Hearings
What is a public hearing?
This is an opportunity for Council to hear feedback on a proposal being considered. Generally, it is when there are proposed amendments to planning documents and some By-laws.
In most instances during a public hearing Council will hear from the Planner (if applicable), the applicant, and then the public. Please note that Council is to receive information and ask questions for clarification only. This meeting is not to engage in a dialogue or debate with any member of the public.
Where can I get additional information on the hearing before it occurs?
Planning documents are available online or at the Administration Building at least two weeks before the Public Hearing date; By-laws under consideration are available two business days before the Public Hearing.
When and where is the public hearing?
The date and time of the hearing are advertised in local newspapers and posted on the Municipality’s website and social media pages.
Who will get notices in the mail regarding the public hearing?
Under the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law of the Municipality, there may be requirements where certain applications filed require notices to be sent by mail to property owners within a certain distance of the impacted area. Otherwise, no notices are sent by mail to residents or landowners.
What if I want to speak at the public hearing?
You need to register to speak at a hearing by contacting the Municipal Clerk at 902-742-7159.
Please note that you must arrive before the public hearing begins and speak before the public hearing closes for your input to be considered. The chair of the meeting may place a time limit on presentations from the public based on the attendance of the public hearing. If you have written material or submissions as part of your presentation, please consider sending it in before the meeting or bringing enough copies for each member of Council. Please note that you may only bring up comments or concerns about the application being considered.
You do not need to be a resident to speak at the hearing.
Can anyone attend the public hearing?
Yes, the meeting is public and anyone can attend, whether they are a resident of the community or not.
What if I want to provide input but cannot attend in person?
You may send your comments in writing to the municipality by email (
How will I find out the result of the Public Hearing?
After the public hearing is closed, Council will decide at a future meeting. Their intent to consider a decision will be on the agenda. Their decision will be posted in the meeting minutes on the website.
Property assessment notices are mailed to Nova Scotia property owners by Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) in January of each year.
Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that is responsible for assessing all property in Nova Scotia as mandated under the Nova Scotia Assessment Act. Every year they generate property information that is used by municipalities, property owners, and more.
Property owners should pay attention to their assessment notices and property valuations. This includes being aware of the appeal process and timelines. Property owners should know they have the right to access their full file and the codes on their files before submitting an appeal.
PVSC has launched a new website which provides property owners with easier access to assessment information. Property owners can use their Assessment Account Number (AAN) and PIN access number featured on their assessment notice to view detailed information on their individual properties by accessing their "My Property Report". PVSC call centre representatives are available to answer questions at 1-800-380-7775.
Information on the appeal process is available on the Property Valuation Services Corporation website and you may also pick up a copy of the Appeal Process Guide at the Municipal Building, 932 Hwy 1 in Hebron.
Access the following resources to obtain more information on the following topics:
If paying by Visa or MasterCard, payment must be made through Paymentus Corporation, an independent third-party company providing a service. Paymentus Corporation will charge a fee to your credit card for the use of their service to cover the cost of payment handling and processing. The Municipality of Yarmouth does NOT receive any part of this service fee.
The service fee charged by Paymentus Corporation for tax account payments is 2% of your payment amount. This amount will be billed directly to your credit card. For example:
| Payment | Paymentus Service Fee |
|---|---|
| $500.00 | $10.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $20.00 |
The service fee charged for sewer bill payments is $5.95, up to a maximum of $200.00 per payment. Multiple payments may be made. To access the service either:
Call toll-free 1-855-288-4087 and you will be linked to a secure automated telephone payment system powered by Paymentus Corporation.
You must have your assessment account number (from your bill), your payment amount and your credit card ready. After payment is made you will receive a confirmation number. The Municipality of Yarmouth will receive notification of your payment which will be posted to your account within two business days. If you wish to contact Paymentus Corporation directly, please call their 24/7 Call Centre number 1-800-420-1663 or direct email inquiries to
IT IS THE PROPERTY OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY THE MUNICIPALITY OF YARMOUTH OF ANY CHANGES AND/OR CORRECTIONS IN MAILING ADDRESSES.
The Municipality of Yarmouth sends property tax bills to all property owners once a year. Tax bills are typically mailed out June 1st and are due on or before June 30th of the same year.
The tax calculation is based on the assessed value of the property multiplied by the applicable tax rate. The assessed value is the market value of the property at the base rate as determined by Property Valuation Services Corporation, phone 1-800-380-7775.
Tax Rates
The tax rate for the Municipality of Yarmouth for the 2024 / 2025 tax year is as follows:
Residential - $1.18 / $100.00 of assessment.
Residential includes single-family residences, multi-family residences, duplexes, apartments, condominiums, nursing homes, seasonal dwellings, manufactured homes and vacant residential land.
Commercial - $2.17 / $100.00 of assessment.
Commercial includes all property except residential property and resource property. Forest property that is owned by a person who owns fifty thousand acres or more is included in the commercial classification.
General Resource - $1.18 / $100 of assessment
General Resource includes farm property (land and building used for agricultural purposes), forest property totalling less than fifty thousand acres, land of a municipal water utility (excluding the structure), community fishermen’s service buildings occupied and used by boat owners who are licensed commercial fishermen and the land used in connection with that use.
Forest Acreage - $.25 x number of acres
Land that is mainly covered by forest.
More information on property classifications can be found on the Property Valuation Services Corporation website.
Fire Rates
Fire protection is covered by six volunteer fire departments and the Town of Yarmouth-owned fire department. The six voluntary fire departments are autonomous and set their tax rates, annually, to support their operations. The Municipality of Yarmouth collects these amounts on their behalf and remits them to the volunteer agencies on a scheduled basis throughout the year.
The Municipality of Yarmouth has agreed to fund a set percentage of the Town of Yarmouth fire department operational costs and so we calculate the necessary rates each year to cover those costs.
| Departments | Costs |
|---|---|
| Carleton Fire Department | $0.11 / $100 of assessment |
| Port Maitland Fire Department | $0.14 / $100 of assessment |
| Yarmouth Fire Department | $0.17 / $100 of assessment |
| Lakes & District Fire Department | $0.17 / $100 of assessment |
| Lake Vaughan Fire Department | $0.15 / $100 of assessment |
| Valley & District Fire Department | $0.08 / $100 of assessment |
| Kemptville Fire Department | $0.08 / $100 of assessment |
Sewer Rates
The sewer rate for the 2024/2025 tax year is $89.66 per equivalent unit quarterly or $358.64 per equivalent unit annually.
Sewer bills are mailed out on February 15th, May 15th, August 15th and November 15th of each year.
Q1 covers March, April, and May
Q2 covers June, July, and August
Q3 covers September, October, November
Q4 covers December, January, February
For more information on the Sewer Service Charges, please refer to Appendix C of our Sewer By-Law.
Example of Residential Tax Calculation
Assessed Value of Property $80,000
Residential Tax Rate $1.18/$100 of assessment
Yarmouth Fire Department $.17/$100 of assessment
Total Taxes
($1.18 +$.17) = $1.35 X $80,000 = $108,000/100=$1,080.00
Payments can be made by:
- Cash
- Cheque
- Money Order
- Debit (in person)
- Visa or MasterCard (through Paymentus Corporation, an independent third-party company providing a service. VISA or Matercard payments have to be done online or over the phone. See below for more information)
- Online and Telephone Banking
- Branch Banking
- Pre-authorized Banking
Partial payments may be made at any time and it is also possible to arrange a payment schedule. For more information, please email Linda Power, Property Information Manager or call 902-742-7159.
Please make your cheque or money order payable to the Municipality of Yarmouth and write your assessment account number on the back. If you are wiring funds, please notify us and we will send you the current bank wire instructions.
When mailing your payment, please allow sufficient time as your payment must reach our office by the due date to avoid interest charges. Interest will be charged on the overdue principal balance at 1.5% per month. We do not accept responsibility for delays in mail delivery. Allow at least 3 business days for electronic payments.
It is the property owner's responsibility to notify the Municipality of Yarmouth of any changes and/or corrections in mailing addresses.
More information can be found by reviewing the Municipality of Yarmouth pdf Fees Policy and the Municipality of Yarmouth pdf Interest Policy.
Online Banking
- BMO (Bank of Montreal)
- RBC Royal Bank
- Scotia Bank
- TD Canada Trust
- CIBC
- Coastal Financial Credit Union
Payment by Credit Card
If paying by Visa or MasterCard, payment must be made through Paymentus Corporation, an independent third-party company providing a service. Paymentus Corporation will charge a fee to your credit card for the use of their service to cover the cost of payment handling and processing. The Municipality of Yarmouth does not receive any part of this service fee.
The service fee charged by Paymentus Corporation for
| Payment | Paymentus Service Fee |
|---|---|
| $500.00 | $10.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $20.00 |
The service fee charged for sewer bill payments is $5.95, up to a maximum of $200.00 per payment. Multiple payments may be made. To access the service either:
- Pay online through a secure website powered by Paymentus Corporation.
- Call toll-free 1-855-288-4087 and you will be linked to a secure automated telephone payment system powered by Paymentus Corporation.
You must have your assessment account number (from your bill), your payment amount and your credit card ready. After payment is made you will receive a confirmation number. The Municipality of Yarmouth will receive notification of your payment which will be posted to your account within two business days. If you wish to contact Paymentus Corporation directly, please call their 24/7 Call Centre number 1-800-420-1663 or direct email inquiries to
Foreign Currency
The Municipality of Yarmouth has property owners all over the world. To properly apply payment received outside of Canada, an pdf Administration Fee for U.S. Currency Policy was brought into place.
Municipal Rebates & Exemptions
Low-Income Exemption
The Low-Income Exemption is administered by the Municipality of Yarmouth. It provides a partial tax relief of current taxes on primary residences for low-income property owners. The amount of the exemption is calculated at 50% of the primary residence's current year’s tax bill, but only up to a maximum of $200. Application forms are available at the Municipal Office in mid-March of each year.
Application forms must be returned to the Municipal Office in Hebron before May 15th of each year. Supporting documents like the Notice of Assessment from Revenue Canada verifying income from all income earners residing in the household must be received no later than June 30th. If you have any questions, please contact the Municipal Office at 902-742-7159.
For more information, please review the Municipality of Yarmouth pdf Low Income Exemption Policy.
Tax Exemption By-law and Tax Reduction By-law
The purpose of the Tax Exemption By-law and the pdf Tax Reduction By-law is to provide a reduction of taxes to the nonprofit community, charitable, fraternal, educational, recreation, religious, cultural or sporting organizations, if, in the opinion of council, the organization provides a service that might otherwise be a responsibility of the council as allowed under section 71(1) of the Municipal Government Act.
Reduction of Property Taxes for Property Damaged by Fire or Storms Policy
The pdf Reduction of Property Taxes for Property Damaged by Fire or Storms Policy allows for the reduction of the taxes payable concerning a property if a building situated on the property has been destroyed or partially destroyed by fire, storm or otherwise, and the assessment does not reflect the reduction.
Provincial Programs
Property Tax Rebate for Seniors Program
This program, administered by Access Nova Scotia on behalf of the Department of Community Services, is designed to help eligible seniors remain in their homes by providing an annual rebate on their municipal property taxes. The program provides eligible homeowners with a rebate (determined by the Provincial Government) on property taxes paid the previous year.
This program applies to seniors receiving either the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or The Allowance. To find out if you qualify for the GIS or The Allowance, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
Applicants must also own and live in their home at the time they apply for the rebate and continue to reside in their home. The previous year's property taxes must also be paid in full.
For more information on the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors Program, contact Access Nova Scotia at 1-800-670-4357 or the Municipal Office at 902-742-7159. Application forms are available in July of each year at Access Nova Scotia in the Provincial Building on Starrs Road as well as the Municipal Office in Hebron. The program ends on December 31st of each year.
