Building guidelines

Annapolis Royal is a unique Town. It has outstanding history, built heritage, culture and a beautiful natural setting. Most of the Town is included in a National Historic District, which includes about 135 registered heritage buildings. Of these heritage buildings, several are designated as National Historic Sites, while several others have provincial designation, and the remainder are municipally designated. These assets need to be conserved and restored in an appropriate manner, and to be emphasized and included in our marketing and support of the Town. To meet these objectives we need to encourage homeowners to protect these scarce heritage assets. If you have questions about building or planning in Town contact Director of Municipal Operations and Development at kknox@annapolisroyal.com or by phone at (902) 526-2429.

role of the planning and Heritage advisory committee

All proposed changes to registered heritage buildings must be submitted to the Planning and Heritage Advisory Committee in advance of any work being done. Appropriate application forms are available at the Town Office. If no material change, such as re-shingling with the same kind and colour of roofing, etc., is anticipated, submission to the Planning and Heritage Advisory Committee is not essential. However, the submission of changes to the Committee allows the approval of the HST Rebate application to proceed more smoothly

provincial government assistance for registered heritage properties

Provincial government assistance for registered heritage properties may be available through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

Planning services

land use by-law

The Land Use By-law (LUB) outlines how land and properties can be used and developed within the Town of Annapolis Royal. It sets regulations for zoning, permitted and prohibited uses, building requirements, setbacks, lot sizes, and development standards to help ensure safe, orderly, and sustainable growth throughout the community.

If you have questions about zoning, development requirements, or how the bylaw applies to your property, please contact Ken Knox, Municipal Development Officer for guidance: Office: (902) 532-2043 Ext. 106 or kknox@annapolisroyal.com

Land Use By-law – Dec 2020

PDF1.5 MB

Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS)

The Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) is sometimes referred to as the Town Plan or General Plan. The MPS document includes many maps, such as those shown here. Additionally, the MPS provides text describing policies and planning explanations about future growth, development, heritage and environmental preservation for Annapolis Royal.

Within the MPS, planning is based with a strong reliance on understanding Annapolis Royal’s past and present. Discussions and evaluation often occur in the text of the MPS that refer to the present or existing land uses and development patterns.

Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) – 2019

PDF1.9 MB

MAPS

Annapolis Royal has developed and maintained a number of planning maps over the years. To demonstrate their designed and potential uses we have clipped a portion of each map to show you.

The full ‘official’ version of these maps, and their supporting documentation, is available in hard copy at Town Hall. The web-optimized ‘unofficial’ version is available on this site in Adobe Acrobat format for public usage.

DISCLAIMER – The information contained in these maps is for demonstration purposes only and may be inaccurate. The Town of Annapolis Royal accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind for whatever reason arising out of any inaccuracies in the information.

Zoning Map

The Zoning Map shows all properties in Annapolis Royal and the assigned Zoning Code or name. Examples of these are (RSU) Residential Single Unit and (CG) Commercial General.
PDF677.9 KB

Heritage Properties

Annapolis Royal has the highest proportion of its built environment of any municipality in Canada registered as heritage property. The Heritage Properties shows federal, provincial and municipally registered properties and the Annapolis Royal National Historic District.
PDF482.1 KB

Generalized Future Land use

The Annapolis Royal Generalized Future Land Use Map is a representation of the future development pattern of land uses that are now the policy of the Town.
PDF692.4 KB

National historic district

As one of only seven designated National Historic Districts in Canada, Annapolis Royal needs policies to protect and enhance this distinction. The MPS describes the area’s 400 year heritage and the plan for appropriate economic growth and conservation.
PDF2.0 MB

transportation

A Transportation Map is an official part of the Municipal Planning Strategy. Importantly, the Transportation Map depicts the road pattern, road network and road hierarchy. Arterial, collector and local roads are shown as they exist and are proposed in the future.
PDF419.1 KB