More Support to Protect Coastal Properties, Communities

Coastal communities and property owners now have more tools and resources to protect themselves from the effects of climate change.

The Province released new example municipal land-use planning bylaws today, April 15, to help municipalities regulate development along the coast to safeguard homes and communities. The example bylaws were informed by ongoing consultation with the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities and the municipalities they represent.

“Today marks another step forward in safeguarding coastal communities and homes,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “We need to rethink how and where we build to keep ourselves, our homes and communities safe and sustainable in the face of global climate change. Municipal leadership and regulatory oversight are key as municipalities have jurisdiction for zoning, land-use planning and buildings permits. Our government will continue to listen to, and support, municipalities every step of the way as we work together to protect our coastal way of life.”

The example bylaws provide flexible options that municipalities can use to regulate development and building along the coast to protect homes, buildings and other infrastructure from coastal flooding, erosion and rising sea levels. They include regulatory options for municipalities to:

• create a defined area where their coastal protection regulations would apply
• set a minimum building elevation to protect from coastal flooding
• create a buffer zone to protect buildings from coastal erosion.

The government will also provide more funding to support municipalities. The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities will receive:

• $1 million over three years to help municipalities adopt the example bylaw text and customize it to their unique needs and climate change impacts
• $344,106 to create a climate change policy and sustainability analyst position to support municipalities in their work to make their communities resilient to climate change.

More tools for property owners were also announced today, including:

• a coastal hazard assessment report that gives coastal property owners information on potential coastal flooding and erosion risks on their property

• a guide on how to use trees, plants and other natural techniques to protect properties from erosion, rising sea levels and flooding

• the coastal hazard mapping tool, first launched in 2024 to show possible coastal flooding for the year 2100, has been updated to include information for the current year and for the year 2050, along with areas of potential coastal flooding beyond 100 metres inland from the coastline

• a checklist and education video for real estate agents to use to help their clients make informed decisions about buying coastal property, developed in partnership with the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS.

All tools and resources are available at: https://novascotia.ca/coastal-climate-change/

Quotes:

“I’m pleased to see the Province recognizing the urgent need for local solutions and providing both guidance and funding to help communities adapt and build resilience to climate change. These new resources will help municipalities like the CBRM take action now to better protect our infrastructure and natural shoreline, ensuring our communities are preserved for future generations to enjoy for many years to come.”
— Cecil Clarke, Mayor, Cape Breton Regional Municipality

“Halifax is on the front lines of climate change, and these new tools will help the municipality make better decisions about how to approach zoning and development along our coastlines. We welcome this support from the Province and look forward to working with our partners to protect both people and property in the face of rising seas and stronger storms.”
— Andy Fillmore, Mayor, Halifax Regional Municipality

“The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities is pleased to see provincial support for municipalities as the Province continues to implement the coastal action plan. Municipalities play an important role in the protection of our coastlines. Offering example text for land-use bylaws and staff support will provide guidance to municipalities in choosing appropriate policies that reflect community concerns. This is a positive development that will support land-use planning in coastal areas. The $1.3 million in funding is a significant investment and we thank the Province of Nova Scotia for their commitment to working with us and responding to the concerns of our members. Combined, these initiatives will help protect the physical and financial health of residents and communities in Nova Scotia.”
— Juanita Spencer, CEO, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities

“The Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS is pleased to partner with the Department of Environment and Climate Change on this project. These co-created resources will ensure that realtors can continue providing buyers with the tools and knowledge to make confident, informed decisions that protect their investments and our shared coastline for future generations.”
— Cheryl Vickers, Vice-President, Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS

“As more homebuyers look to live along Nova Scotia’s beautiful coastline, it’s never been more important to have access to tools like the coastal hazard map and continued education for realtors. This kind of clear, science-based information empowers realtors to help clients to make smart, informed decisions – especially as we navigate the realities of climate change and rising sea levels. Educating our community about coastal hazards isn’t about creating fear, it’s about building resilience and ensuring our communities remain safe, sustainable and thriving for the long term.”
— Anne Pryde, realtor and green home specialist, Domus Realty

Quick Facts:

• the government released The Future of Nova Scotia’s Coastline: The plan to protect people, homes and nature from climate change, on February 26, 2024; it has 15 actions for property owners, municipalities and the Province to take to make coastal homes, communities and natural areas safer
• Upland Urban Planning and Design, a Nova Scotia land-use planning company, prepared the example bylaw text (Action 8 in the coastal protection action plan) after consulting with municipalities on behalf of the Province
• The Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS is the voice of the real estate sector in Nova Scotia and represents more than 2,100 brokers, salespeople and affiliate members throughout the province
• creating educational tools for the real estate sector to help buyers make informed decisions about buying coastal property is Action 6 in the coastal protection action plan

Additional Resources:

The Future of Nova Scotia’s Coastline: A plan to protect people, homes and nature from climate change: https://novascotia.ca/coastal-climate-change/docs/coastline-plan.pdf

News releases about coastal protection action plan actions: https://news.novascotia.ca/search/all?field_topics=285

Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.