Cape Breton Regional Municipality

CBRM By-Laws

The By-law Division is responsible for the application, processing and issuance of various licenses, as well as enforcement of some Municipal By-laws. When required, it is also responsible for the development of By-laws as well as amendments to current By-laws.

For information about By-law Enforcement, or to file a complaint, please contact the office at (902) 563-5202.

Since April 1, 1999, all municipalities in the Province of Nova Scotia, including the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, have been granted power by the Province under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to pass by-laws. These by-laws carry the same legal authority within the boundaries of the Regional Municipality as if they had been passed by the Provincial Legislature. The MGA, in Section 172, identifies a list of subjects for which the CBRM or any other municipal unit may make local laws. Additional authority to make local by-laws such as the Taxi By-law is found in the Provincial Motor Vehicle Act.

Click here to view the By-Laws of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Please note that Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use By-laws cannot be accessed on this page. Planning documents of the Municipality can be accessed by visiting: Planning Department.

The By-Laws listed in this section are those that have been enacted by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality since amalgamation on August 1, 1995. The by-laws that were in force in the former municipalities of Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford, Sydney Mines, North Sydney, Louisbourg and the former County of Cape Breton (which are also available on this site) will remain in force within the geographic areas which encompassed those former municipalities until the by-laws are amended or repealed.

If you plan to open a business in the CBRM area, you may require a license. Currently, the CBRM By-law Division issues licenses for the following:

- Passenger Vehicle for Hire Owner/Operators, Vendors, Vending Machine Operators, Dog Owners, Shared Dwelling Owner/Operators.

Information is also available regarding the following:

Smoking By-law, Noise By-law, Parking Meter By-law, Dangerous or Unsightly Premises (pursuant to Part XV of the Municipal Government Act).

Shared Dwelling Licence

Owner/operators of Shared Dwellings within the CBRM must obtain a licence from the municipality to rent rooms within their property. The licence has requirements for shared dwelling operators, outlines obligations for owners and operators, mandates yearly inspections of properties, and provides enforcement mechanisms to address non-compliance.

The Shared Dwelling Licence application fee is $200. If the dwelling has more than four Sleeping Rooms, there is an additional charge of $50 per room. The initial application is valid for one year, after which renewal is required within 30 days of expiration. The Shared Dwelling Licence renewal fee is $100, with an extra $25 per room if there are more than four Sleeping Rooms.

PAPERWORK NEEDED:

• Completed Application for a Shared Dwelling Licence LINK
• Proof of liability insurance for the proposed use
• A copy of the CBRM issued occupancy permit
• A copy of an approved development permit
• A copy of a labelled floor plan

Passenger Vehicle for Hire Licence Requirements

Vehicle Operator Licence

SECTIONS A, B, AND D MUST BE COMPLETED. (INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE REFUNDED AFTER 7 DAYS, MINUS 30% PROCESSING FEE)

PAPERWORK NEEDED:

• Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (ORIGINAL NEEDED)
• Photocopy of Nova Scotia Driver’s Licence (Class 4 or better)
• Nova Scotia Child Abuse Registry Check (ORIGINAL NEEDED) LINK
• Nova Scotia Drivers Abstract from Access Nova Scotia
• Driver Training or Code of Conduct signed by the applicant and Business Owner
• Payment of fees

Vehicle Owner Licence (Taxi)

SECTIONS B, C, AND D MUST BE COMPLETED. (INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE REFUNDED AFTER 7 DAYS, MINUS 30% PROCESSING FEE)

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO BE A TAXI VEHICLE OWNER, YOU MUST HAVE A VALID VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE IN ORDER TO REGISTER AS A TAXI VEHICLE OWNER AS PER PASSENGER VEHICLE FOR HIRE BYLAW SECTION 5(1).

PAPERWORK NEEDED:

• Nova Scotia Vehicle Permit (COPY ONLY)
• Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Inspection no older than 6 months (COPY ONLY)
• Insurance policy in the amount of $2,000,000 to include:
  • Public Liability
  • Property Damage
  • Cargo or Passenger Hazard Insurance
  • CBRM named as additional insured
• Payment of fees

Vehicle Owner Licence (Luxury Vehicle /Tour/Shuttle)

SECTIONS B, C, AND D MUST BE COMPLETED. (INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE REFUNDED AFTER 7 DAYS, MINUS 30% PROCESSING FEE).

PAPERWORK NEEDED:

• Nova Scotia Vehicle Permit (COPY ONLY)
• Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Inspection no older than 6 months (COPY ONLY)
• Insurance policy in the amount of $2,000,000 to include:
  • Public Liability
  • Property Damage
  • Cargo or Passenger Hazard Insurance
  • CBRM name as additional insured
• Confirmation of Sydney Ports general information course (if applicable)
• Payment of fees

Business Owner Licence

COMPLETE “PASSENGER VEHICLE FOR HIRE BUSINESS APPLICATION” – ALL SECTIONS MUST BE COMPLETED. (INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE REFUNDED AFTER 7 DAYS, MINUS 30% PROCESSING FEE)

PAPERWORK NEEDED:

• Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (ORIGINAL NEEDED)
• Nova Scotia Child Abuse Registry Check (ORIGINAL NEEDED) LINK
• Joint Stock Registration certificate
• Permission Letter(s) from any property owners that depots or stands will be located at
• Development Permit
• Provide Site Plan from Access Nova Scotia (CBRM Land Use Map)
• Fee schedule (if applicable)
• Route schedule (if applicable)
• Confirmation of Sydney Ports general information course (if applicable)
• Payment of fees

Disclaimer

The By-laws listed on the CBRM web page are not the official copy of the original documents. They are placed on the website for the general information of visitors to the site. Anyone requiring an official copy of the most current official record of CBRM By-laws should contact the Municipal Clerk's office.