Council Seeks Feedback on Three New Bylaws

The Council of the Municipality of Inverness County is seeking public feedback as they consider repealing and replacing three bylaws:

Repeal and replace Bylaw 12 (Regulation of Animals) and Bylaw 48 (Dog Control)

Current: Bylaws 12 and 48 outline how the Municipality regulates livestock and dogs in the jurisdiction; however, they outline inconsistent enforcement and administrative frameworks.

Both bylaws currently lack a process to determine and ensure fairness when dealing with dog- and livestock-related noise complaints. Additionally, there is no power within either bylaw to designate an animal as a nuisance animal and effectively address that issue.

Proposed Changes: The proposed new bylaws share the same procedural fairness provisions, appeal mechanisms, nuisance designation process, order-making powers, and enforcement provisions so that they operate as parts of a coordinated animal control framework.

Repeal and replace Bylaw 33 (Heritage Property Bylaw)

Current: The Heritage Property Bylaw establishes a municipal Heritage Property Program that helps protect buildings, streetscapes, and landscapes that represent the cultural identity of Inverness County communities. The bylaw also establishes a Heritage Advisory Committee that provides advice to Council regarding heritage properties.

The current heritage property bylaw does not adequately outline property owners’ responsibilities, is missing important definitions, and restricts committee recruitment by requiring two youth representatives.

Proposed Changes: The proposed new Heritage Property Bylaw would reduce barriers to Heritage Advisory Committee recruitment. It also includes new additions for heritage owner responsibilities, definitions of important terms, information regarding appeals, details of the information included in the Registry, and reference to the provincial Heritage Property Act.

Public Input Welcome

Council invites public input on these proposed changes. Residents may provide written or oral submissions—either in support or opposition—at the next Regular Meeting of Council:

Thursday, November 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Council Chambers, Municipality of Inverness County Administration Building
375 Main Street, Port Hood.

Written submissions must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11 to:

Debbie Nicholson
375 Main St.
PO Box 179
Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Email: Debbie.Nicholson@invernesscounty.ca

Copies of all municipal bylaws are available online at invernesscounty.ca/government/bylaws/ and in print at the Municipal Administration Building during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday).

Read new proposed bylaws here:

• Proposed Bylaw 67
• Proposed Bylaw 68
• Proposed Bylaw 69

This notice is published in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Section 168.