Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw Review
Project Status
Active
Introduction
The Municipality of the County of Cumberland is undertaking a focused and strategic update of its Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB).
This project is a targeted review designed to address emerging challenges and opportunities across our community. The goal is to update policies and bylaws to ensure they are modern, practical, and fully align with Nova Scotia’s Statements of Provincial Interest.
This strategic update will focus on four crucial areas identified as “Priority Themes” to support best planning practices and secure a sustainable future for all who live, work, and operate here. We are seeking public feedback and working to implement improved land use policies across these four priority themes:
Coastal Resilience & Protection
The Municipality is defining its own comprehensive approach to managing our extensive coastline. With over 850 km of coastline at risk from sea-level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion, our policies must adapt to protect public safety and valuable coastal properties.
Goal: Develop robust municipal policies to address the growing risks of coastal erosion and flooding due to climate change, securing a safer future for our coastal communities.
Housing & Balanced Neighbourhoods
To respond to our recent population growth and the resulting housing deficit, we need to enable a greater diversity of housing options. This review focuses on creating zoning solutions that enable higher-density housing in areas with central services while balancing development with the preservation of existing neighbourhood character.
Goal: Explore zoning solutions to increase the supply of diverse and affordable housing options in serviced areas, supporting complete and livable communities.
Rural & Agricultural Land Use
This review aims to refine the application of agricultural zoning across the Municipality. Currently, many parcels are zoned for agriculture based only on soil class, not on active use, size, or suitability for farming. This has restricted other forms of rural development in some areas and resulted in loss of highly productive farmland near urban areas.
Goal: Refine agricultural zoning to better protect truly productive farmland and formally identify agricultural marshland conservation areas, while freeing up other rural lands for appropriate development.
Framework for Renewable Energy
Cumberland County has been identified as an ideal location for renewable energy, leading to an increased number of applications for wind and solar farm developments. This creates an urgent need for clear, detailed regulations.
Goal: Establish a modern, regulatory framework that guides the placement and scale of commercial renewable energy projects (including wind, solar, and emerging technologies like green hydrogen) while balancing energy goals with community and environmental protection.
Engagement Opportunities
Community engagement will be hosted in winter 2025/2026. Opportunities will be posted here as they become available.
Project Updates
Check back for ongoing updates throughout the planning process.
About the Review
*Youtube Video #1 to be added in December*
Contact Us
Glen Boone, Director of Development and Planning
Kira Norgren, Municipal Planner and Development Officer
Partners
Dillon Consulting Ltd is the lead planning consultant for this project. They will provide expertise on policy analysis and development as well as technical insights from water resource engineers, linear municipal infrastructure experts, and other development professionals.
The planning team from FBM Architecture Ltd is the partner consultant leading the public engagement process. They are working closely with Dillon Consulting and Cumberland County to facilitate and incorporate ongoing public and stakeholder feedback on priority themes.
Project Timeline
Project Start Date: Spring 2025
Dillon Consulting and FBM were selected as consultants for the project.
Background Review: Summer – Fall 2025
Planning document analysis, data collection, and site visits were undertaken to produce technical memos.
Community Engagement: Winter 2025/2026
Two preliminary pop-up engagements were held at the Parrsboro and Pugwash Farmers Markets in August 2025. Ongoing public consultation and stakeholder engagement will take place in Winter 2025/2026. Upcoming engagement opportunities will be communicated to the public as they become available.
Draft Policy and Regulation Development: Spring 2026
Community needs, council direction, and technical analysis will be translated into draft policy documents for review by municipal staff, council, and community stakeholders.
Plan Presentation, Revisions, and Approval: Spring – Summer 2026
The draft policy will be formally presented to council and the public, revisions will be made based on final feedback, and the MPS and LUB will be prepared for adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw?
A: The Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB) are the two core documents that manage and guide all development in the Municipality.
The Municipal Planning Strategy is a high-level policy document containing Council’s long-term vision and goals for future growth (e.g. increasing housing supply, managing coastal risk, protecting farmlands). It sets the strategic direction and must align with Nova Scotia’s Statements of Provincial Interest.
The Land Use Bylaw is the detailed regulatory companion that makes the MPS policies enforceable on the ground. It divides the Municipality into zones (e.g. Residential, Commercial) and provides the specific rules for development, such as permitted uses, building height, and lot size.
Q: Why are the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw being reviewed?
A: The MPS and LUB are being reviewed to address urgent challenges like the housing shortage and climate change, and to ensure our regulations align with the current needs of Cumberland residents and Provincial requirements.
Q: How will my feedback be integrated into the review process?
A: Public feedback is a vital part of this process. Feedback from workshops, community info sessions, and pop-up engagement events will be summarized in a 'What We Heard' report. The consulting team (Dillon and FBM) will use this input to refine the draft policies before they are presented to municipal staff and Council.
Q: I am currently applying for a building permit (or plan to soon). Will this review pause or affect my application?
A: No. Applications are reviewed based on the bylaws in effect at the time the application is deemed complete. The new rules will not apply until the review is complete and officially adopted by Council.
Q: Does a "Targeted Review" mean only specific areas of the Municipality are being looked at?
A: Not necessarily. While the review is "targeted" in scope, meaning it focuses specifically on the four priority themes (Coastal, Housing, Agriculture, Energy), the changes may apply to properties across the entire Municipality. For example, new rules regarding renewable energy or coastal setbacks could apply to any relevant property in Cumberland County, whereas housing density changes might focus mostly on serviced areas.
Documents
Official documents for the MPS and LUB review process will be shared here on an ongoing basis.