Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get an assessment done on my property?
To get information on assessments, visit the Property Value Services Corporation (PVSC).
What are the tax rates?
2025/26 Rates
- Residential Tax Rate – $1.99/100 of assessment
- Commercial Tax Rate - $3.86/100 of assessment
- Sewer Maintenance - $337.08 per unit
- Solid Waste Charge - $350.41 per unit
Find out about the Development Support Program.
Can I pay my taxes online?
Yes, go to Make a Payment.
Does the Town Hall accept VISA and MC?
Yes, go to Make a Payment. We also accept cheques, cash, money orders or debit.
When can I expect to receive my tax bills?
Tax bills are sent twice a year, once in April and final billing for the remaining amount is billed in August/September. Sewer will also be billed on the final tax bill. A reminder that CIBC and Scotiabank do not cover Sewer charges on mortgages.
I have questions about recycling, green bins and waste management. Who should I contact?
Looking for a green bin in the Town of Shelburne? Please call the Town Office 902-875-2991, ext. 1. For questions on Waste Management, you should contact the Waste Diversion Coordinator, Danyelle Smith, by calling the Municipality of the District of Shelburne at (902) 875-3544 ext. 240.
How do I place a Work Order?
Contact Janice MacKinley at 902-875-2991, ext. 1, or complete the online form. Note: a plumber must be called to confirm the obstruction is not on private property for the Town to respond to a sewer block.
How do I make a By-Law Complaint?
Contact Dana Nash, By-Law Officer at (902) 875-6482 or by email at dana.nash@shelburnens.ca
I have a question about a Town By-Law or Policy; who do I contact?
Contact Dana Nash, By-Law Officer at (902) 875-6482 or by email at dana.nash@shelburnens.ca
What is my property zoning?
Contact Mike Kahn, Director of Planning & Development Services, at 902-319-0735, planning@shelburnens.ca for zoning questions and information.
Who do I contact if I want to build a building on my property?
Contact Andrew Goreham, Manager of Building Inspections (902) 875-3494 ext. 238 or andrew.goreham@municipalityofshelburne.ca.
How can I add an event to the event board?
Contact Jessie Dyer, Executive Coordinator at 902-875-2991, ext. 4.
How do I book the Guild Hall?
Contact Janice MacKinley, Customer Service Coordinator at 902-875-2991, ext. 1.
How do I book the Community Centre?
Contact Janice MacKinley, Customer Service Coordinator at 902-875-2991, ext.1.
When does Town Council meet?
Shelburne Town Council regular meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month. Please reference Agendas and Minutes.
Can I attend a Town Council meeting?
The public is encouraged to attend Shelburne Town Council meetings; in-camera sessions, which are closed to the public, are occasionally held in accordance with Municipal regulations.
How many Council members are there for the Town of Shelburne?
Shelburne Town Council is comprised of a Mayor and four Councillors, with the position of Deputy Mayor rotating annually so that all Council members serve a one-year term as Deputy Mayor.
Can I have my concern placed on a Town Council meeting Agenda?
Yes, members of the public can request to have items added to a Town Council meeting Agenda by writing a letter to the Council and sending it to P.O. Box 670 or dropping it off at the Town Office to the Attention of Jessie Dyer, Executive Coordinator.. Each Agenda also sets aside two 15 minute time slots for Delegations; groups and/or individuals with items for Council. To book as a Delegation please contact Jessie Dyer, Executive Coordinator, 902-875-2991, ext. 4. If you have comments for Council, they can be sent as a letter or emailed to Jessie Dyer, Executive Coordinator at, jessie.dyer@shelburnens.ca. Correspondence and delegations requests must be received prior to the Wednesday afternoon preceding a scheduled council meeting.
What are the business hours for the Town Office?
The Town Office is open to the public from 9 am to 3 pm. Monday through Friday.
How can I join a Town Committee?
Members of the public are encouraged to apply for positions on any Town Committee they are interested in joining; the Town Committees, Shelburne County East RCMP Advisory Board Committee and Port Authority Committee. Learn about the committees Contact Jessie Dyer, Executive Coordinator, 902-875-2991, ext. 4.
Who do I contact about recreation and bicycle programs in the area?
Contact the Physical Activity & Community Use Coordinator, at (902) 875-2831, or Benn.Himmelman@municipalityofshelburne.ca.
Are the trails in the Town of Shelburne designated as multi-use?
No, the trail through the Town of Shelburne is not designated for ATVs or other recreational vehicles; it is for pedestrian traffic only. Horses are prohibited on the trail but dogs may be walked on a leash.
Public Works
The Public Works division is responsible for street and sidewalk maintenance and repair, stormwater management, snow and ice control, maintenance of parks and upkeep of other town assets.
Contact Public Works
Phone: (902) 319-0456
Email: will.butler@shelburnens.ca
The Public Works building is located at 162 Mowatt Street.
The Shelburne Town Council sets service standards for Public Works.
Roadside Maintenance Standards
Town of Shelburne roadside maintenance operations is intended to provide safe sightlines for drivers, remove debris, tree limbs, etc. which would hinder pedestrians and ensure the proper flow of stormwater in drainage ditches.
Roadside maintenance keeps the gravel shoulder maintained. Roadside areas including shoulders and ditches are mowed by Town staff. Brush must be cut when it reduces visibility to features such as signs, intersecting roads and driveways or when it interferes with proper drainage. All brush shall be disposed of properly; this shall include removal or chipping. Roadside ditching is also performed as needed.
The Town shall not take any responsibility for the maintenance of private property excepting the removal or trimming of vegetation on private property which poses a danger to traffic. Roadside maintenance operations will normally be undertaken during regular working hours, Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Leaf Removal Standards
The Town of Shelburne will attempt to keep storm drains, sidewalks, through streets and other public infrastructure reasonably clear of leaves. Priority will be given to the clearing of storm drains. Leaf removal operations will normally be undertaken during regular working hours, Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The Town shall not take any responsibility for the collection or removal of leaves from private property. Homeowners are required to dispose of leaves and other yard waste from private property according to guidelines for solid waste disposal provided by Shared Services.
The Public Works division is responsible for snow removal and ice control operations.
Address Changes
To report a change in address, please contact the Town Office at (902) 875-2991.
Payment Options
Payments can be made by cash, debit, cheque or money order (payable to the Town of Shelburne) from Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm at the Town Hall located at 162 Mowatt Street. The Town of Shelburne also accepts payments by Electronic Bill Payment Service(Online Banking) with several institutions (see below).
Payment by Credit Card
The Town of Shelburne has added an additional payment option for our ratepayers who wish to pay their Tax, Water and Port Authority bill using a credit card. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Plastiq will charge you for the use of their service to cover the cost of the payment handling and processing. The Town of Shelburne does NOT receive any part of this service fee. Plastiq is an independent third-party company providing a service for the Town of Shelburne.
The service fee charged by Plastiq for Tax, Water and Port Authority account payments is 2.9% of your payment amount.(effective Date Dec 1st, 2022) This amount will be billed directly to your credit card. For example:
- A payment of $500 plus the service fee equals $514.50
- A payment of $1,000 plus the service fee equals $1,029.00
In order for Plastiq to process your payment, you will need to include the 8-digit Assessment Account Number for Tax payments, 5-digit Meter Number for Water payments or the 4-digit Slip Number for Port Authority payments.
https://request.plastiq.com/pay-town-of-shelburne-water-tax-and-port
Any questions regarding account information for this payment option please contact:
Jennifer Perry
(902) 875-2991 Ext. 2 or
jennifer.perry@shelburnens.ca
Electronic Bill Payment Options - Taxes
This service enables bill payment access through telephone, internet systems, automated banking machines as well as teller transactions. The proper payee name is required as well as your eight-digit Assessment Account Number(s). If you have more than one property you must enter each assessment number and the amount you are sending for each one.
Online payments are possible with the following banking institutions:
- CIBC – payee name is: Shelburne (NS/Town of) Tax
- Scotia Bank – payee name is: TOWN OF SHELBURNE (NS) TAX
- Bank of Montreal – payee name is: Shelburne (NS), Town-Of-Tax
- TD Canada Trust – payee name is: Shelburne Nova Scotia (Town of) Taxes
- Royal Bank of Canada – payee name is: Town of Shelburne (Nova Scotia) - Tax
Please ensure that you are using the correct payee name when using this service
Electronic Bill Payment Options - Water
The Town of Shelburne is pleased to announce that we are able to accept online payments for Water from the following financial institutions.
- CIBC – payee name is: SHELBURNE (NS/TOWN OF) WATER
- Scotia Bank – payee name is: TOWN OF SHELBURNE (NOVA SCOTIA) WATER
- Bank of Montreal – payee name is: SHELBURNE (NS), TOWN OF-WATER
- TD Canada Trust – payee name is: SHELBURNE (NS/TOWN OF) WATER
- Royal Bank of Canada – payee name is: TOWN OF SHELBURNE (NS) - WATER
Please ensure that you are using the correct payee name and have your 5-digit meter number when using this service.
Water Utility Payments
The Town of Shelburne is pleased to announce that we are able to accept online payments for Water from the following financial institutions.
- CIBC – payee name is: SHELBURNE (NS/TOWN OF) WATER
- Scotia Bank – payee name is: TOWN OF SHELBURNE (NOVA SCOTIA) WATER
- Bank of Montreal – payee name is: SHELBURNE (NS), TOWN OF-WATER
- TD Canada Trust – payee name is: SHELBURNE (NS/TOWN OF) WATER
- Royal Bank of Canada – payee name is: TOWN OF SHELBURNE (NS) - WATER
Please ensure that you are using the correct payee name and have your 5-digit meter number when using this service.
Payments can be made by cash, cheque, or debit from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 3pm. Information can be found below for the option of Plastiq for water payments.
Payment by Credit Card
The Town of Shelburne has added an additional payment option for our ratepayers who wish to pay their Tax, Water and Port Authority bill using a credit card. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Plastiq will charge you for the use of their service to cover the cost of the payment handling and processing. The Town of Shelburne does NOT receive any part of this service fee. Plastiq is an independent third-party company providing a service for the Town of Shelburne.
The service fee charged by Plastiq for Tax, Water and Port Authority account payments is 2% of your payment amount. This amount will be billed directly to your credit card. For example:
- A payment of $500 plus the service fee equals $510.00
- A payment of $1,000 plus the service fee equals $1,020.00
In order for Plastiq to process your payment, you will need to include the 8-digit Assessment Account Number for Tax payments, 5-digit Meter Number for Water payments or the 4-digit Slip Number for Port Authority payments.
https://request.plastiq.com/pay-town-of-shelburne-water-tax-and-port
Any questions regarding account information for this payment option please contact:
Jennifer Perry
(902) 875-2991 Ext. 2 or
jennifer.perry@shelburnens.ca