Welcome to the Municipality of Yarmouth

The Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, affectionately known as MODY by the locals, is a diverse collection of communities located on the southern tip of Nova Scotia.  Diversity can be found in our landscapes.  The Municipality of Yarmouth boasts rugged and sandy ocean fronts, working wharves, rolling hills, old growth forests, quaint hamlets, bustling business districts and clean cottage country lakes.  Diversity is found in our economy.  Fishing, forestry, agriculture, light manufacturing, retail, personal services, professional services, and creative arts are a few of the sectors where vocational opportunities abound.  Diversity describes the recreation and leisure offerings.  Music, water sports, school and community sporting leagues, dancing, theatre, pottery, photography, wood carving, quilting and so much more are available.  Diversity is celebrated in our people.  With a global ethnic presence, the Municipality of Yarmouth is increasingly seen as an ideal place to put down roots, seize work/life balance opportunities and contribute to one's community. 

If you'd like to explore living, working or investing in the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, please contact the office of the CAO at 902-742-7159.
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Top News
For Immediate Release 

Council Continues to Hold the Tax Rate Amid High Inflation

<June 2, 2023 - Hebron, Nova Scotia>

On June 1, 2023, the Council of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth approved the budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Amid high inflation, Council continues to hold the tax rate while making strategic investments in key program areas to help improve the lives of the residents and businesses of the municipality. With the presence of competitive tax rates, MODY is a great place to both conduct business and live.

Council have renewed its contribution to the Doctor Recruitment and Retention program with the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce increasing the amount to $30,000 per year for 3 years. Additionally, over $145,000 has been re-invested in the community through grants to organizations, tourism, and place-making projects. Finally, investment to see the design and engineering for Phase II of the Nova West Regional Business Park has been made.

Operationally, Council’s largest investments are in policing - $1.427 million (up 5.4% from last year); fire protections - $1.677 million (up 51.8% from last year); solid waste collection and disposal - $941,000 (up 4.6% from last year); and public education - $2.5 million (up 7.4% from last year).

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Quick Facts

• The Residential/Resource and Commercial rates have not changed since 2018-19
• Municipal Expenditures have grown just over 43% 2018-19 to 2023-24
• Residential & Resource Tax Rates: $1.18 per $100 of assessment
• Commercial Tax Rate: $2.17 per $100 of assessment
• Special Assessment/Sewer: $89.66 per equivalent unit per quarter
• Fire Rates (per $100 of assessment):
  • F1 Carleton: $0.11
  • F2 Port Maitland: $0.14
  • F3 Yarmouth: $0.17
  • F4 Lakes & District: $0.17
  • F5 Lake Vaughan: $0.15
  • F6 Valley & District: $0.08
  • F7 Kemptville: $0.11

Media Contacts:

John Cunningham

Warden

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

902-742-7159

Victoria Brooks

Chief Administrative Officer

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

902-742-7159

Marissa Parker

Communications Officer

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

902-742-7159

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For Immediate Release

Municipality of Argyle Joins the Municipality and Town of Yarmouth as the Mariners Centre’s Newest Owner

Argyle, Nova Scotia, May 12, 2023 — On May 10, 2023, John Cunningham, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, Her Worship Pam Mood, Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth, Danny Muise, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Argyle, Victoria Brooks, CAO of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, Jeff Gushue, CAO of the Town of Yarmouth, and Alain Muise, CAO of the Municipality of the District of Argyle, signed the Mariners Centre Intermunicipal Service Agreement. This forty-year agreement names the Municipality of the District of Argyle as a joint owner of the Mariners Centre, joining both the Town and Municipality of Yarmouth.

"The Municipality of Argyle has been a long time supporter of our regional Mariners Center.  Our decision to become a shared owner confirms our long term future commitment to this project and its expansion" said Danny Muise, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Argyle.

By signing this long-term agreement, our community members will benefit as continued stability for sport, recreation, entertainment, and events in the community will be achieved.

“We are so happy to welcome Argyle as a full owner of the Mariners Centre! Argyle has always been a valuable contributor and partner, and with the Mariners Centre Expansion project underway, we can now say that we are building a true Community Hub for the entire region. Exciting times!”, said Chair of the Mariners Centre Board of Directors, Wade Cleveland.

“Council is thrilled for the Municipality of Argyle to become a joint owner of the Mariners Centre alongside the Municipality and Town of Yarmouth. Our community has asked Council for an upgraded pool and recreation facilities, and I look forward to engaging with our municipal partners in providing an inclusive, modern centre for everyone to use and enjoy,” said John Cunningham, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth.

“This is a big moment, and we are so thankful to have Argyle, who has always been a good partner, officially with us as we work together to bring the best to our people!" said Her Worship Pam Mood, Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth.

Together, the three municipal units look forward to working together in providing our communities with facilities and programming that are inclusive and welcoming to all.

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Media Contacts:

John Cunningham

Warden, Municipality of the District of Yarmouth

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 902-742-7159

Danny Muise

Warden, Municipality of the District of Argyle

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: (902) 648-2311

Pam Mood

Mayor, Town of Yarmouth

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: (902) 742-2521

 

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For Immediate Release

Municipality of Yarmouth to Start Enforcing Solid Waste By-law in April

<January 19, 2023 - Hebron, Nova Scotia>

With the aim of both reducing the occurrence of illegal dumping and protecting our natural environment, the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth will begin enforcing the reverse onus clauses of their Solid Waste Resource Collection and Disposal By-law S-088-20 on April 1, 2023.

Illegal dumping of waste has become an increasingly common occurrence in the Municipality of Yarmouth, with 68 reports made between April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Changes need to be made to ensure that this number does not continue to grow.

Beginning April 1, 2023, violators of the by-law run the risk of receiving a Summary Offence Ticket for their actions, which can impose fines of up to $5000. This penalty has been explicitly outlined in the aforementioned by-law since its effective date on August 4, 2020. The Municipality has not enforced this section of the by-law to date, but will start doing so this April.

Regarding methods of implementation, reverse onus will be used as a measure to enforce our Solid Waste By-law. In essence, reverse-onus means that a person whose name or address is found within illegally dumped waste is deemed to be the owner of the material. If the owner fails to provide the name of the person responsible for dumping the waste, the owner is held accountable for the clean-up and any resulting summary offence ticket.

These fines are easily avoided, as the Municipality provides a wide range of safe, easy, and cost-effective disposal options for virtually all types of waste. For more information on the by-law and alternate disposal options, visit our website: Municipality of Yarmouth - Help Stop Illegal Dumping and Littering

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Media Contacts:

John Cunningham
Warden
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 902-742-7159

Victoria Brooks
Chief Administrative Officer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
902-742-7159

Marissa Parker
Communications Officer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
902-742-7159

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