Municipal Compliance for Short-Term Rentals

As part of the Provincial licensing requirement for short-term rentals, registration requirements will include a confirmation of municipal land use compliance. The Municipality does not have zoning regulations throughout the entire municipality. In areas where there are no zoning regulations, a zoning letter can be provided. In areas with Land Use regulations, a Development Permit will be required to ensure compliance.

In reviewing land use compliance, the Municipality will confirm compliance with other municipal regulations, including the building code.

An application form is required with the appropriate fee. Please print and complete the form linked below, and return it (with the fee noted on the form), to the Municipal Services Building.

pdf Short-Term Rental Confirmation Request (133 KB)

We recognize that the Province has implemented a tight timeline for license renewal. Compliance letters or permits will be processed within 14 days. We appreciate your patience while we work through this process.

Learn More About Coastal and Cluster Regulations

Notice on coastal regulations

On June 18, 2024, Council passed Second Reading to amend MODL’s Municipal Planning Strategy and introduce a new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law that includes coastal protection regulations. The regulations are currently in effect and are pending Provincial approval.

If your property is located within the Designated Coastal Protection Area, you are required to comply with the new regulations of the Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law. Use this interactive map to determine if your property is within the Designated Coastal Protection Area.

Municipal-wide Municipal Planning Strategy

Municipal-wide Land Use By-law

More project documents can be found here, including PDF maps.

Notice on cluster regulations

On July 30, 2024, Council passed First Reading to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law to establish Cluster Development regulations. A public information session will be held prior to a public hearing to give residents opportunities to learn about the regulations and ask questions. For more information, including project documents, please click here.

Notice of Intention to Adopt Cluster Development Regulations

On July 30, 2024, Municipal Council conducted First Reading of the amended Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Municipal Wide Land Use By-law (LUB) to establish Cluster Development regulations in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. This notice is to advise residents that the amended MPS and LUB are effective as of the date of First Reading.

A public information session and public hearing will be held at a date to be determined.  The Public will be given notice of the date/time when available. 

Click pdf Public Notice (552 KB) to view it in its entirety. 

Published Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

Audit Committee Meeting - July 2, 2024

The Audit Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. for a pre-audit discussion.  The meeting will be held at the Municipal Services Building, 10 Allee Champlain Drive, Cookville, and is open to the public.

The agenda, once available, can be viewed here:

https://www.modl.ca/index.php?option=com_docman&view=list&slug=2024-agendas-recordings-minutes-1&Itemid=855&layout=table

Proclamations - June 11, 2024

Mayor Bolivar-Getson recognized Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the 32nd annual World Ocean Day to show support for the national and international efforts to protect our oceans.

Click  pdf World Ocean Day (410 KB) to view the Proclamation in its entirety.

Mayor Bolivar-Getson proclaimed June 11, 2024 as United Nations (UN) International Day of Play in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, in celebration of the first International Day of Play.

Click pdf International Day of Play (376 KB) to view the Proclamation in its entirety. 

Public Hearing Notice - Coastal Protection

A Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. regarding the proposed amended Municipal Planning Strategy and the new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law. The Public Hearing will break at 6:00 p.m. and resume at 7:00 p.m. This is in regards to Coastal Protection regulations.

The public may make formal written or oral submissions to Council. Written submissions will be received until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail to April Whynot-Lohnes, Municipal Clerk, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS B4V 9E4. Oral submissions may be received at the Public Hearing.

The public is invited to attend the meetings which will be held at the Municipal Services Building, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville. Learn more about this project at https://engage.modl.ca/coastal-protection

Proclamation - Parks & Recreation Month

Mayor Bolivar-Getson proclaimed June 2024 as Parks and Recreation Month in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

Click on  pdf Parks & Recreation Month (278 KB) to view the Proclamation in its entirety. 

Proclamation - Parks & Recreation Month

Mayor Bolivar-Getson proclaimed June 2024 as Parks and Recreation Month in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

Click on  pdf Parks & Recreation Month (278 KB) to view the Proclamation in its entirety. 

Proclamation - Access Awareness Week

Mayor Bolivar-Getson proclaimed May 26 to June 1, 2024 as Access Awareness Week in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.  Access awareness aims to celebrate achievements made both by and for persons with disabilities in the areas of accessiblity, transportation, housing, employment, recreation, education, and communication; and....

Click pdf Access Awareness Week (371 KB) to view the proclamation in its entirety.

Public Hearing Notice Update - Coastal Protection

Public Hearing Notice for Coastal Protection Regulations

On May 14, 2024, Municipal Council gave Notice of its intent to establish Coastal Protection regulations by amending the Municipal Planning Strategy and adopting a new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law.

The regulations will guide how development occurs along the coast to ensure that new homes, businesses, and other structures are not placed in areas that could be at risk of coastal flooding or erosion, while protecting natural assets from potential harms caused by development.   

PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS will be held prior to the public hearing to give residents opportunities to learn about the regulations and ask questions. The public information sessions will be held as follows:

• Riverport Community Centre on Thursday, May 23^rd, 2024

Doors to open at 6:30 p.m. and a staff presentation starting at 7:00 p.m.

• Lahave and District Fire Hall on Tuesday, May 28^th, 2024

Doors to open at 6:30 p.m. and a staff presentation starting at 7:00 p.m.

• Big Tancook Island ferry wharf (on the island) on Wednesday, May 29^th, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.

An informal opportunity for residents to ask questions to planning staff.

• Virtual public information session on Tuesday, June 4^th, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

Staff presentation and Q&A with residents. The presentation will be recorded and posted online. Link and information will be posted at https://engage.modl.ca/coastal-protection

A PUBLIC HEARING on the amended Municipal Planning Strategy and the new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law will be held as follows:

Hearing Starts: Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

Evening Session: Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

Hearing Location: Council Chambers, located at 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS

The public can make formal written or oral submissions to Council. Written submissions will be received until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 11, 2024 to April Whynot-Lohnes, Municipal Clerk, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS B4V 9E4 or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Oral submissions will be received at the time and place of the Hearing. Council can make a decision regarding the adoption of the amended Municipal Planning Strategy and the new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law following the Public Hearing.

Copies of the proposed regulations and related reports are available to view at the Municipal Office at 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, during normal office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or found online on the Coastal Protection project page on the MODL Engage website: https://engage.modl.ca/coastal-protection

For further information, contact the Planning Offices at 902-530-2802, or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

April Whynot-Lohnes, Municipal Clerk
Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2024

Public Hearing Notice - Coastal Protection

Establishing Coastal Protection regulations through an amended Municipal Planning Strategy and a new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Municipal Council gave Notice of its intent to establish Coastal Protection regulations by amending the Municipal Planning Strategy and adopting a new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law.

The proposed regulations will guide how development occurs along the coast to ensure that new homes, businesses, and other structures are not placed in areas that could be at risk of coastal flooding or erosion, while protecting natural assets from potential harms caused by development.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS will be held prior to the public hearing to give residents opportunities to learn about the regulations and ask questions. Dates and times for these sessions will be posted at engage.modl.ca/coastal-protection shortly.

A PUBLIC HEARING on the amended Municipal Planning Strategy and the new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law will be held as follows:

Hearing Starts: Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Evening Session: Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Hearing Location: Council Chambers, located at 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS

The public can make formal written or oral submissions to Council. Written submissions will be received until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 11, 2024 to April Whynot-Lohnes, Municipal Clerk, 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS B4V 9E4 or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Oral submissions will be received at the time and place of the Hearing. Council can make a decision regarding the adoption of the amended Municipal Planning Strategy and the new Municipal-Wide Land Use By-law following the Public Hearing.

Copies of the proposed regulations and related reports are available to view at the Municipal Office at 10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, during normal office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or found online at https://engage.modl.ca/ .

For further information, contact the Planning Department offices at 902-530-2802, or visit engage.modl.ca/coastal-protection.

April Whynot-Lohnes, Municipal Clerk
Posted on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 1:29pm
Municipal Services Building,
10 Allée Champlain Drive, Cookville, NS

Proclamation - Int'l Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia

Mayor Bolivar-Getson proclaimed Wednesday, May 17, 2024 as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.

Click on pdf Proclamation (310 KB) to view it in its entirety.