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Town of Yarmouth

Bylaw enforcement

The Town has bylaws to keep our neighbourhoods safe, healthy and respectful.

Bylaw enforcement officers investigate and enforce municipal bylaws. They educate the public, inspect properties, respond to complaints, issue warnings and, when needed, apply penalties.

Report a bylaw problem

  • Report the problem online now
  • or contact the following Bylaw Officers:
    • General bylaw enforcement: (902)-740-5968
    • Building issues: (902) 742-1505
    • Fire safety: (902) 742-7411
    • Property issues: (902) 742-1505

Below are some common topics related to building matters.

Programs and services for tenants and landlords

Minimum housing standards

The Town sets minimum housing standards to protect health and safety. These rules describe the basic requirements every dwelling must meet.

Minimum requirements

  • Weatherproof structure: solid walls, floors and roof.
  • Secure openings: working, lockable windows and doors.
  • Safe exits: clear, usable escape routes.
  • Light & ventilation: adequate natural light and fresh air.
  • Electricity: safe electrical service for lighting and appliances.
  • Smoke alarms: installed and working.
  • Plumbing: flush toilet, bath or shower, and hot and cold running water.
  • Kitchen: facilities for food preparation.
  • Heating: adequate heat for cold weather.

Conflicts with other bylaws

If another Town bylaw sets a higher standard, the higher requirement applies to protect public health and safety.

Complaints & questions

To report a problem or ask about standards, contact the Building Official: (902) 742-1505 or buildinginspector@townofyarmouth.ca You can also fill out and return a  pdf complaint form(115 KB) .

pdf Minimum Housing By-Law(216 KB)

Dangerous or Unsightly Premises

Under Section 15 of the Municipal Government Act (NS), every property must be maintained so it is not dangerous or unsightly.

"Dangerous or unsightly" means partly demolished, decayed, deteriorated or in a state of disrepair so as to be dangerous, unsightly or unhealthy, and includes property containing:

  • ashes, junk, cleanings of yards or other rubbish or refuse or a derelict vehicle, vessel, item of equipment or machinery, or bodies of these or parts thereof
  • an accumulation of wood shavings, paper, sawdust, dry and inflammable grass or weeds or other combustible material, or
  • any other thing that is dangerous, unsightly, unhealthy or offensive to a person, and includes property, a building or structure
  • that is in a ruinous or dilapidated condition,
  • the condition of which seriously depreciates the value of land or buildings in the vicinity,
  • that is in such a state of non-repair as to be no longer suitable for human habitation or business purposes,
  • that is an allurement to children who may play there to their danger,
  • constituting a hazard to the health or safety of the public,
  • that is unsightly in relation to neighbouring properties because the exterior finish of the building or structure is not maintained,
  • that is a fire hazard to itself or to surrounding lands or buildings, or
  • that has been excavated or had fill placed on it in a manner that results in a hazard;

To report concerns about dangerous or unsightly premises:

Vacant Buildings

As a property owner, you're responsible for following a set of guidelines to ensure your property adheres to certain safety and aesthetic standards.

If you board up a building for more than seven days, you must get a permit from the By-law Enforcement Officer. Permits are valid up to one year. The Town requires proper panel-type boarding and maintenance so the building does not become dangerous or unsightly. If an owner does not follow rules, the Town may enter the property to do necessary work and charge the owner for costs.

You can read more about the Town's vacant building policies by browsing the pdf Vacant Buildings By-Law(204 KB) .

Fire Inspections

The Town of Yarmouth employs a municipal fire inspector as required by the Fire Safety Act of Nova Scotia. The inspector carries out a system of inspections on the following occupancies:

  1. Assembly occupancies (churches, community halls, licensed establishments, restaurants, theatres, bowling alleys, arenas, rinks, gymnasiums, museums, indoor pools).
  2. Residential occupancies containing four (4) or more dwelling units (apartments, motels, hotels).
  3. Business and personal service occupancies (offices, banks, and service shops).
  4. Mercantile occupancies (stores, markets, and retail outlets).
  5. Industrial occupancies (workshops, factories, warehouses, repair garages, gas stations).

The inspector is responsible for ensuring compliance with the National Fire Code of Canada and is available to provide information on fire safety and fire emergency planning.

Fire Safety Planning

The National Fire Code of Canada requires that certain buildings shall develop and maintain a Fire Safety Plan. To assist owners/occupants in the development and/or maintenance of these plans, the Office of the Fire Inspector for the Town of Yarmouth has made available a Fire Safety Planning Guide. Building owners/occupants are encouraged to use this guide as a template to prepare or enhance their plans so that they meet the requirements of the Fire Code.

The following occupancies are required to have a formal fire safety plan:

  1. Assembly occupancies (any building in which persons gather, including restaurants, halls, gymnasiums, libraries, churches, clubs, and bowling alleys);
  2. Every building is required to have a fire alarm system, including buildings with sprinklers;
  3. Areas used for bulk storage;
  4. Areas where flammable or combustible liquids are stored or handled;
  5. Areas where hazardous processes or operations occur.

If your building falls within one of the categories listed above, you are required to have a fire safety plan.

Contact the Fire Inspector

For more information on fire inspections or fire safety, please call, visit, or email the Fire Inspector:

Template downloads

pdf Fire Safety Plan Template, 2021 PDF(530 KB)

document Fire Safety Plan Template 2021 MS Word(176 KB)

Disclaimer

The town of Yarmouth does not make any warranties or representations with respect to the content, quality, accuracy or completeness of any information or material contained in the Fire Safety Guide Template. The town of Yarmouth assumes no legal liability for the content, quality, accuracy, or completeness of the Fire Safety Guide Template. In no event will the Town of Yarmouth be liable for any damages, whether direct, indirect general, consequential, incidental, exemplary or special, arising from the use of this template.