Each power below comes from a law, agreement or official page, linked under it. This page lists the powers each government holds. It does not say how they are used.
Adopts the municipal planning strategy and land-use by-law, approves development agreements and issues development permits (Municipal Government Act Part VIII, ss. 190-237).
Development and building permits are issued by the municipality (in some areas through a regional building inspection service).
Makes by-laws for its reserves: health of residents, traffic, law and order, nuisances, animals, roads, water supplies and other local works, zoning and buildings, allotment of reserve land, residence on the reserve, wildlife and fish on the reserve, and trespass. Fines of up to $1,000.
Property and civil rights in the province: contracts, property, labour relations, consumer protection, insurance, landlord and tenant, and most private law (s. 92(13)).
Residential tenancies (Residential Tenancies Act, Service Nova Scotia) and Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency.
nslegislature.ca· checked municipal: Municipal powers as cited in the description (statute consolidated to 2026).For: Planning and land use (Municipality of the District of East Hants Council)
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca· checked By-laws for the reserve (Indian Act s. 81).For: By-laws for the reserve (Indian Act s. 81) (SIPEKNE'KATIK Chief and Council)
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca· checked provincial: Constitution Act, 1867, ss. 92, 92A, 93, 95 (and the Acts named in the description).For: Property and civil rights (Nova Scotia House of Assembly)
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca· checked Text quoted from the Constitution Acts (Justice Laws Website, current to 2026-09-21).For: Currency and banking (Parliament of Canada)
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