An image of a home with a blue sign with white numbers at the end of the driveway and text reading "Does your home have a civic number sign?".

Does your home have a civic number sign? It could save your life. 

In an emergency, every second matters. The ability for first responders to quickly find your home is vital. Yet, there are some residences in Victoria County that still lack clearly visible civic number signs, creating potentially dangerous delays when emergency services are trying to respond. 

When fire, police or paramedics are dispatched, they rely on visible, accurate civic numbers to locate properties. If your number is missing, hard to read, blocked by trees or snow or not visible at night, responders may waste valuable time trying to find you. 

Clear, posted civic numbers is a simple but powerful step toward improving safety across Victoria County.  

Be seen. Be safe. 

Civic address management in Victoria County 

In Victoria County, civic addresses are assigned and maintained by the Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC). If you are not sure of your civic address, contact their Civic Addressing Coordinator.  

Here are guidelines for posting your civic address:  

  • Civic numbers must be in Arabic numerals (12, not: XII or Twelve) 
  • Have at least 48 inches between the bottom of the numbers and the ground. 
  • The colour of the numbers must be reflective and clearly contrast the background. White numbers on a blue background work best. 

For more information about civic address signs contact: 
 
David MacKenzie 
Senior Building and Fire Inspector 
email: dmackenzie@edpc.ca 
Phone: 902-295-2900 

Civic address resources: 

Eastern District Planning Commission  

Posting your civic number (EDPC)  

Civic address: posting and sign suppliers (Province of Nova Scotia)  

The Municipality of Victoria County Civic Addressing By-Law  
 

A wooden stamp with the word “APPROVED” in bold black letters is placed on a stack of papers. Below the image, a blue banner displays the text: “Notice of Adoption – Victoria County Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw – In effect as of October 2, 2025.

Now in effect! Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw

Victoria County’s Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw are in effect as of today, Thursday, October 2, 2025.

Provincial Legislation passed in 2018 (Bill 58), mandated that all municipalities in Nova Scotia ensure their entire jurisdiction is governed by an approved Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB).

At that time, Victoria County did not have planning documents in place. To address the gap, the County launched the Plan Victoria County project in partnership with the Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC). Public engagement sessions were held to gather feedback, which played an important role in shaping the final documents.

On May 26, 2025, Municipal Council formally adopted the proposed Plan Victoria Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw. The documents were then submitted to the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs for ministerial review.

Ministerial Approval from the Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs was received September 16, 2025.

The Minister has approved both documents with amendments.

The Plan Victoria County Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw cover all areas in the municipality (except for the Baddeck plan area) and replace the existing Wind Turbine Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw.

Access the documents

The Plan Victoria County Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law including the Ministerial Amendments, as well as an interactive zoning map to help assist the public in identifying the zoning of properties is available on the EDPC website: https://edpc.ca/plan-documents-and-maps/

Document links

Eastern District Planning Commission

EDPC provides planning, subdivision and building inspection services in eastern Nova Scotia. They are the local administrative body that oversees all planning within the Municipality of the County of Victoria.

Posted to the Municipality of the County of Victoria website 02-10-2025 in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.


The image is an announcement for public information sessions by Plan Victoria County. It includes a green circular logo with three segments and the text 'PLAN VICTORIA COUNTY' to the right of it. Below, it states 'Public Information Sessions' followed by 'South Haven Community Hall' in green text. The date is given as 'Thursday May 22, 2025,' and the times are listed as '2:00 - 4:00 PM' and '6:00 - 8:00 PM.'

Information Sessions: Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-Law

On Monday, May 26th, 2025 the Council of the Municipality of the County of Victoria will hold a Public Hearing on the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law at 10:00 a.m. at the Victoria County Court House, 495 Chebucto Street, Baddeck, NS.

Ahead of the Public Hearing, residents will have an opportunity to attend public information sessions facilitated by the Eastern District Planning Commission.

Public Information Sessions

Date: Thursday May 22nd, 2025

Times:

  • First Session: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Second Session: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Where: South Haven Community Hall, (4411 Hwy 105, South Haven)

These sessions are designed to help residents better understand the proposed documents, ask questions, and engage with planning staff directly in advance of the Public Hearing.

For more information and to view the documents, click here.

Photograph of two adult women at a white board, pointing and writing with text Reading: Nov. 19th, 2024, Not-For-Profit Governance Training, North Highland Community Museum, Cape North".

Not-for-Profit Governance Training – FREE!

ATTENTION: Current or Prospective Not-for-Profit Volunteer Board Members in Victoria County

Victoria County is offering a free one-day workshop (including lunch) on board governance, from reviewing types of boards, responsibilities, meeting processes, dealing with conflict, project management and other practical information from a not-for-profit lens.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 19, 2024

LOCATION: North Highlands Community Museum & Cultural Centre

29243 Cabot Trail, Cape North NS B0C 1G0

TIME: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

LUNCH: Provided

LED BY: Anchored Recruiting & Human Resource Solutions

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please register by Sunday, November 17th. Registration is online and mandatory as lunch numbers are required prior to November 19th.

Click here to view the Agenda

Registration

Not-for-Profit Governance Training – FREE!

ATTENTION: Current or Prospective Not-for-Profit Volunteer Board Members in Victoria County

Victoria County is offering a free one-day workshop (including lunch) on board governance, from reviewing types of boards, responsibilities, meeting processes, dealing with conflict, project management and other practical information from a not-for-profit lens.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 9

LOCATION: Inverary Inn, MacAulay Conference Centre, Baddeck

TIME: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

LUNCH: Provided

LED BY: Anchored Recruiting & Human Resource Solutions

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please register by Sunday, April 7th. Registration is online and mandatory as lunch numbers are required prior to April 9th.

Click here to view the Agenda

Registration is now closed.

Hardcopy of draft Plan Victoria County documents.

Printed Copies of the Draft Plan Victoria County Documents

If you’d prefer to read a printed copy of the documents “Draft Municipal Planning Strategy” and/or  “Draft Land Use By-law”  for the Plan Victoria County project,  these two draft documents are available at the Victoria County Municipal Building in Baddeck at 495 Chebucto Street.

As these are large documents, please make an appointment by contacting Steff MacLeod at Steff.MacLeod@victoriacounty.ca or by calling 902-295-3659.

If you choose to read these documents online, where you can view fact sheets and summary information on topics such as agriculture, housing, environment, recreation, and tourism, they are available at www.planvictoria.ca.

“Plan Victoria County” is part of a larger project called “Plan Eastern Nova” which is a joint effort between the respective municipalities of the counties of Antigonish, Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria to establish municipal planning strategies and land use by-laws for each municipality. It is overseen by the Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC).

The engagement period is open until March 31, 2024.

Municipal Land Use Planning Update – December 2021

Project Update – December 2021

Plan Eastern Nova project will reach out periodically to keep you informed of the project’s progress and to keep you in the loop about engagement opportunities. We encourage you to spread the word and get your friends, family members, colleagues and neighbours involved in this process.

Read More Here

Phase 1 Broadband

Victoria County has two areas that have been approved for an upgrade to current DSL standards. Bell was awarded the contract to provide Fibre to homes in Dingwall and Boularderie.

• Dingwall & Area is expected to be completed by April 21, 2021 or earlier
• Boularderie & Area is expected to be completed by June 21, 2021 or earlier

Wondering if your house is included in Phase 1? Check out the maps.

Dingwall & Area Community Maps

Boularderie & Area Community Maps

For more information, contact john.swantee@bellaliant.ca.