Planning Department

Structure of the Planning & Development Department

The Planning & Development Department is divided into the following branches:

The Planning Services Branch maintains and operates a GIS to provide and analyze spatial data to support long-range policy initiatives of the CBRM. To date, the Planning Services Branch has been instrumental in providing technical and analytical support for projects as varied as:

development of the Regional Municipality's tax structure correlating the tax rate to the level of service provided;
establishing council district boundaries;
establishing and maintaining an address system for use in implementing the 911 response system;
establishing fire service boundaries;
a demographic report for the Regional Municipality;
a draft report intended to guide the future development of the region focusing on economic development, the environment, transportation and infrastructure;
a Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw now in effect throughout the Municipality;
preparing and revising policies on the subdivided land within CBRM

The Community Development Branch is responsible for administering community development services within CBRM including:

community capacity building initiatives aligning with Council strategic goals;
assessing community needs and community-based program opportunities;
and coordination of community-led special projects.

The Development Service Branch is responsible for the CBRM's administrative service obligations pursuant to Parts 8 and 9 of the Municipal Government Act. More specifically this includes the following:

administering the various land use bylaws in effect throughout the Regional Municipality;
administering the Subdivision Bylaw in effect throughout the Regional Municipality;
processing applications to amend any land use bylaw, the Subdivision Bylaw, or any Municipal Planning Strategy.

The Building Services Branch looks after the processing of your building permit application. Approval of an application to construct a building will involve examination of construction drawings, confirmation of zoning and setbacks, approval from CBRM Engineering, and possibly approval from the Department of the Environment and approval of the Department of Transportation.

The Bylaw Enforcement and Licensing Branch are responsible for administering various municipal bylaws and provincial regulations including the Parking Meter Bylaw, Taxi Bylaw, Vendors and Traders of Goods Bylaw, and the Unsightly Premises Act.

Planning & Development Department Staff

General Inquiries:

Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Planning & Development Department
Suite 200 - 320 Esplanade,
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 7B9
Phone: 902-563-5070
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Development Services & Inquiries:
Phone: 902-563-5068
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Building Services Permit Hotline:
Phone: 902-563-5090
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Community Development Services & Inquiries:
Phone: 902-563-5072
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Mapping:
Phone: 902-563-5071
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By-law Enforcement:
Phone: 311