Zoning Confirmation & Municipal Clearance

A Zoning Confirmation Letter confirms the current zoning of a property and provides reference to the zoning provisions of the Land Use By-law that apply to that property.

A Municipal Clearance Letter confirms if there are any outstanding building code orders, by-law orders and/or fire code violations on a property.

$50.00 (plus tax) per Property Identification Number (PID).

Applies to each Zoning Confirmation Letter and Municipal Clearance Letter requested.

To apply for a Zoning Confirmation and/or Municipal Clearance letter, please complete the Application for Zoning Confirmation and/or Municipal Clearance Letter.

Applications are also available at the Citizen Service Centre at City Hall (320 Esplanade, Sydney).

Once completed, submit your form in one of the following ways:

• Email to PlanningConsult@cbrm.ns.ca with payment to follow by mail*
• Submit in person, along with payment, at the Citizen Service Centre
• Mail along with payment to:

Zoning Confirmations - Planning and Development Department
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
320 Esplanade
Sydney, NS B1P 7B9

*Please note: Letters will not be issued until payment is received.

If you are registering under the Provincial Tourist Accommodations Registration Act, you must request a Zoning Confirmation for Accommodation Host.

You may also apply for a Municipal Clearance Letter to confirm whether there are any outstanding orders or violations on the property.

CBRM’s Land Use By-law regulates how land can be used (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) and what types of buildings or activities are allowed. It does not deal with tenancy arrangements, who lives or stays on the property or the details of their rental agreements. For example:

• In a residential zone, you may build houses or apartments (withstanding zone provisions). The By-law does not restrict whether they are used for short-term or long-term rentals.
• In a commercial zone, you may operate a business like a hotel. The By-law doesn’t dictate how long guests can stay.

Property owners may rent their property for any length of time, provided the property's use complies with zoning rules and the necessary permits are obtained.

Accommodation Hosts follow the same application process outlined above to request a Zoning Confirmation and/or Municipal Clearance Letter.