Development Officer

It is the role of the Development Officer to administer development regulations on behalf of the Municipality of Pictou County (MOPC). These may include subdivision by-laws, land use by-laws, development permit processes, and other policies.

The Development Officer should not be confused with the Building Officials employed by a Municipality to grant building permits and inspect each structural facility to ensure it meets or exceeds the Nova Scotia Building Code.

Development of land in the Municipality of Pictou County shall adhere to the subdivision, and each application for subdivision or consolidation of lands are subject to review by the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works, Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change, MOPC Department of Public Works and Development, and the Nova Scotia Land Registration Office. The review by other agencies is subject to the application request and its potential impacts on those listed agencies. 

To submit an application for subdivision, request a zoning clearance or discuss development opportunities within Pictou County, please book an appointment with the MOPC Development Officer. To schedule an appointment email developmentofficer@munpict.ca or call 902-485-2245 or 902-485-2235.

LAND SUBDIVISION

Subdivision Application Form

Subdivision Underlying Lots County Form

The Nova Scotia Department of Public Works will be forwarded any subdivision application with property frontage to a provincially owned and maintained roadway. The department will review the application and provide comments on approval requirements. The department does not charge for the review of a subdivision application. However, if you require site access (a driveway), a permit is required to access the provincially owned and maintained road. You may inquire with the department using the contact information below.

Department of Public Works

The Department of Environment and Climate Change will be forwarded any subdivision application where the proposal impacts natural watercourses and water bodies such as wetlands, wet areas, rivers, brooks, streams, shorelines, lakes, ponds, and the ocean, we well as in any case in which the land is subject to the requirements for on-site sanitary sewage treatment systems (septic system), particularly where land size is deemed deficient to support standard septic systems. The department does require a review fee to be paid as part of its process and policy. That review fee is dependent upon the number of lots being proposed:

The department’s fees for reviewing a subdivision report are as follows:

                (a)    for a subdivision with fewer than 3 lots................................................no charge

                (b)    for a subdivision with at least 3 lots and no more than 10 lots................$232.35

                (c)    for a subdivision with more than 10 lots..................................................$630.45

The Land Registration Office will assign new Property Identification (PID) numbers to newly created lots or retire existing PIPIDsor consolidated lands. The Land Registration Office has a schedule of fees required depending upon the application type.

The fees with Land Registry Office:

                (a)    Land Registration ..................................................................................$113.35

                (b)    Registry of Deed…………………………………………………................$100.00

                (c)    Registry of Deed and Land Registration ............................................... $213.35

Submission of Applicable Fees:

The fees required by both the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Land Registration Office are to be submitted with the application to MOPC; the required payment method is via cheque made payable to the Minister of Finance. Separate cheques are to be provided for each department.

MOPC also has a review and circulation fee of $50.00. This may be made via cash, debit or cheque payable to the Municipality of Pictou County.

Requirements for the submission of a Subdivision Application may be found are found in the MOPC Subdivision Bylaw.   (LINK) Municipal Bylaws » Municipality of Pictou County (munpict.ca)

LAND USE ZONING

MOPC currently has General Development Zoning throughout all areas of the Municipality. The MOPC Wind Land-Use Bylaw regulates wind energy developments. All other land usage within the Municipality is considered right and not subject to zoning requirements.

For inquiries related to zoning clearance letters, please contact the Development Officer at developmentofficer@munpict.ca.

MOPC documents related to subdivision, wind energy, municipal design standards, and private roads, among others, can be found on the MOPC website (www.munpict.ca) under the Council tab (Municipal Bylaws and Municipal Policies).

COASTAL PROTECTION

The Province of Nova Scotia has adopted a Coastal Protection Act,  which will regulate property development along the shorelines. Regulations related to this act are currently being prepared by provincial agencies. Please see the following link for additional information related to:

Coastal Protection Act - Government of Nova Scotia, Canada. (LINK) Coastal Protection Act - Government of Nova Scotia, Canada