Government

As our region continues to face changing weather patterns and increasing pressure on water resources, building long-term water security has become more important than ever.

Following last year’s historic drought — considered a one-in-50-year event — the Municipality’s Water Resilience Program was created to help residents, businesses, and communities better prepare for periods of water shortage and uncertainty.

This webpage serves as a central hub for information, practical resources, conservation tips, programs, and tools designed to support responsible water use and strengthen resilience for the future.

Include: 
Updated Policies and By-Laws 
Public Information Campaign
Flow-Chart 
etc. 

During the Regular Council Meeting on April 22, 2026, Council unanimously approved a governance change that will take effect in the next municipal election, scheduled for fall 2028. Details surrounding this change will be posted on this page to help keep residents informed and educated as the 2028 election approaches. 

Official Press Release

For Immediate Release

Council Approves New Governance Model for the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth

Yarmouth, NS — April 23^rd, 2026 — The Council of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth has unanimously approved a governance change that will take effect in the next municipal election, scheduled for fall 2028.

Council voted to transition from the current Warden system to a Mayor system, giving residents the opportunity to directly elect the head of council. Under the existing structure, council members appoint a Warden from among themselves. Beginning in 2028, residents will instead vote for a Mayor through a municipal-wide election.

The decision follows a recent public survey, where residents supported the change by a two-to-one margin. Council considered this feedback in making its decision, reflecting the community’s preference for how local government should be structured.

“This change strengthens local democracy by giving residents a direct voice in choosing their municipal leader,” said Warden John Cunningham. “It reflects Council’s commitment to transparency and accountability.”

As part of the transition, the Municipality will maintain a council of seven elected representatives – six councillors and one mayor.

Under the new system, each voter will cast two votes in the municipal election: one for their district councillor and one for Mayor.

Next steps will include a boundary review and further community engagement throughout the spring and summer to help keep residents informed and educated about this transition.

Media Contacts:

Victoria Brooks
Chief Administrative Officer
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mark Brewer
Communications Officer
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Welcome to the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth’s 2026 Governance Survey. This survey is designed to gather your input on the leadership structure of the Municipality. Your feedback will help inform this important governance topic.

Residents will receive a card in the mail with the necessary code to access the survey, and it should only take approximately two to five minutes to complete.

The deadline for completing this survey is the end of the day Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Responses will be kept strictly confidential, and the results of the survey will not be used in any way that will allow anyone to identify you or your responses. Your participation is voluntary, and you can discontinue your participation at any time. You can also leave the survey and return later to complete it, picking up where you left off by re-entering the survey access code on your Survey Card.

To conduct this survey, the Municipality has hired Narrative Research, a Halifax-based survey research company. If you have any questions regarding the survey process, please feel free to contact Victoria Brooks at MODY at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For any technical issues that arise when you are filling out the survey, please contact Narrative Research by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This survey is registered with the Canadian Research Insights Council. To verify the legitimacy of the study, please visit Canadian Research Insights Council Research Verification Service and enter the following code: 20260206-NA209.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

To participate, visit 2026 Governance Survey.

Questions? Check out the  pdf 2026 MODY Governance Structure Survey FAQ(669 KB) .

Want complete the survey using a paper format? Contact Narrative Research: 1-833-327-0548 (Be sure to leave your name and street address for a copy of the survey to be mailed to you)

Notice of Development Agreements

Notice of Development Agreement - Greenville Road

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT on November 3, 2025, Municipal Council approved a motion to enter into a Development Agreement with the property owners of PID 90333964 and PID 90333972, subject to identified conditions. The Development Agreement will apply to PID 90333964 and PID 90333972 and permit the establishment and operation of an indoor recreation facility with an accessory liquor licensed establishment at 1025 Greenville Rd.

The approval of the Development Agreement may be appealed by any aggrieved person, the Provincial Director of Planning, or the Council of any adjoining municipality, within fourteen (14) days of the publishing of this notice. An appeal must be made to the Nova Scotia Regulatory Appeals Board in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Government Act. The Board can be contacted by phone at (902) 424-1333, toll-free within Nova Scotia at 1-844-809-0010, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Copies of the Development Agreement and related staff reports can be viewed at www.munyarmouth.ca or obtained from the Administration Building during normal office hours 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., at 932 Highway 1, Hebron, NS. (copy fees apply)

Victoria Brooks, CAO
Municipality of the District of Yarmouth

This notice was posted on November 7, 2025.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT at its regular Council meeting on April 22, 2026, Council approved first reading of Domestic Water Improvement Loan By-Law D-486-26. This By-law is made under the provisions of the Municipal Government Act.

Council proposes to repeal and replace Water Supply Lending Program By-Law W-1028-25 and consider adopting Domestic Water Improvement Loan By-Law D-486-26.

A second reading for the By-Law will occur at the Regular Council meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, at 6:00 pm.

The document is available online pdf HERE (664 KB) or copies can be viewed at the Administration Building located 932 Highway 1, Hebron, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays; printing fees applied).

Victoria Brooks
Chief Administrative Officer

This notice was posted on this website on April 29, 2026

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT at its regular meeting on March 25, 2026, Council approved first reading of the following By-Laws:

• Tax Exemption By-Law T-082-26
• Building By-Law B-028-26
• Private Road Maintenance Charge By-Law P-086-26

Council proposes to repeal and replace the following:

• Tax Exemption By-Law T-082-24
• Building By-Law B-028-91
• Private Road Maintenance Charge By-Law P-086-20

Second Reading for the By-Laws will occur at the Regular Council meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building, located at 932 Highway 1, Hebron, NS.

The documents are available here, or copies can be viewed at the Administration Building at 932 Highway 1, Hebron, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays; copy fees apply).

Victoria Brooks
Chief Administrative Officer

Notice posted on April 2, 2026

Notice of Approval: Wind Turbine Requirements

Amendments to the text of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth’s Municipal Planning Strategy were approved by Council on March 25, 2026.  The mandatory review by the Department of Municipal Affairs was completed May 13, 2026. The amendments reduce the required minimum distance wind turbines must be located from lot lines, ensuring that they do not exceed the maximum requirements established by the Province. These amendments are effective the date of this notice. Reports are  available to view at pdf HERE(1.48 MB)  or at the Municipal Building between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays).

Victoria Brooks, CAO
Municipality of Yarmouth

Notice posted on June 5, 2026

Notice of Approval: Land Use By-law Text Amendment Regarding Signs

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT on May 27, 2026 Council approved an amendment to the text of the Land Use By-law which will increase the regulations on signs.

Appeal of this amendment may be made to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board within 14 days of the publishing of this notice.

Reports are available to view  pdf HERE(607 KB) or at the Municipal Building between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays).

For more information, please contact the Planning and Development Department using one of the following methods: 

• Phone: 902-634-4468 (please leave a message; calls will be returned within 24 hours)
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Victoria Brooks, CAO
Municipality of Yarmouth

Notice posted on June 5, 2026

Notice of Approval: Land Use By-law Text Amendment Regarding Site Plan Agreements in the Lakeshore Residential (LR) Zone

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT on May 27, 2026 Council approved an amendment to the text of the Land Use By-law which exempt some developments from the requirement for site plan agreements in the Lakeshore Residential (LR) Zone.

Appeal of this amendment may be made to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board within 14 days of the publishing of this notice.

Reports are available to view pdf HERE(366 KB)  or at the Municipal Building between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays).

For more information, please contact the Planning and Development Department using one of the following methods: 

• Phone: 902-634-4468 (please leave a message; calls will be returned within 24 hours)
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Victoria Brooks, CAO
Municipality of Yarmouth

Notice posted on June 5, 2026

Notice of Approval: Domestic Water Improvement Loan By-law

Notice of Approval: Wind Turbine Requirements 

 Amendments to the text of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth’s Municipal Planning Strategy were approved by Council on March 25, 2026.  The mandatory review by the Department of Municipal Affairs was completed May 13, 2026. The amendments reduce the required minimum distance wind turbines must be located from lot lines, ensuring that they do not exceed the maximum requirements established by the Province. These amendments are effective the date of this notice. Reports are  available to view pdf HERE (1.48 MB) or at the Municipal Building between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays).

Victoria Brooks, CAO
Municipality of Yarmouth

Notice Posted on May 25, 2026