Subdivision of land is defined in the Municipal Government Act as “the division of land into two or more parcels, and includes a re-subdivision or a consolidation of two or more parcels”. All changes to property boundary lines of lots less than twenty-five acres in area are subject to ‘Subdivision Approval’ under the Subdivision By-Law and Municipal Government Act. Subdivision plans can be both legal survey plans prepared by licensed Nova Scotia Land Surveyors or, where applicable, Instruments of Subdivision can be approved. In the Municipality of Yarmouth, Instruments of Subdivision are only accepted for Consolidation of existing lots.
The process for obtaining Subdivision Approval in the Municipality of Yarmouth starts with an applicant contacting the Development Officer, completing an Application for Subdivision Approval, and submitting a ‘Plan of Subdivision’ for approval. The ‘Plan of Subdivision’ is reviewed for compliance with the requirements of the Subdivision By-Law, and is reviewed by the Department of Environment where required to determine compliance with the On-Site Sewage Disposal System Regulations for lot sizes. The Department of Transportation and Communications conducts a review of Subdivision Plans where required to determine compliance with access provisions to public highways. When the review process is complete, the ‘Plan of Subdivision’ is approved and registered in the Land Registration Office.
Fees for Subdivision approval are $175.00 plus the costs for registration of the plan with the Land Registration Office. All fees are payable to the Municipality of Yarmouth.
Information on the process to follow when applying for Subdivision Approval, the Municipality of Yarmouth Subdivision By-law, as well as the Specifications for Subdivision Roads in Urban and Rural Areas is available for viewing in the following links:
- pdf The Process of Subdivision Approval
- pdf Municipality of Yarmouth Subdivision By-law
- pdf Municipal Design Specifications Manual
To obtain an Application for Subdivision Approval, please contact the Development Office at 902-742-9691 or view pdf Application for Subdivision Approval.
Subdivision inquiries can be made to the Development Officer at 902-742-9691 or by e-mail to the Development Office.
