Date: March 24, 2026
The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) is providing this update to clarify the technical standards used for coastal protection and to address recent public questions regarding how these requirements are calculated.
1. Is this part of the current Municipal-Wide Land Use Planning consultations? No. It is important to clarify that the Coastal Protection Regulations were adopted by Municipal Council and approved by the Province of Nova Scotia in August 2024. These are settled safety standards and are not a subject of the municipal-wide land use planning drafts currently nearing their second round of public engagement.
2. Why is the elevation set at 3.97 metres? This requirement is a science-based safety standard designed to ensure that the "habitable space" of a home (kitchens, bedrooms, living areas) remains dry and safe during a major flood event. The 3.97m figure is a cumulative total of three specific data points:
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1.57 m (Sea Level Rise): Based on the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which is the most current global scientific consensus.
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1.63 m (Historical Storm Surge): Based on the benchmark set by Hurricane Juan, the most significant surge event recorded in our region.
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0.77 m (Local Tide): Based on local "Higher High Water Large Tide" measurements from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
3. Why does MODL use different data than older provincial maps? Science evolves. While some older maps rely on previous reports, MODL has prioritized using the most recent international data (AR6). This ensures that when residents build today, their homes are resilient against the environmental realities of the next several decades. This proactive approach helps provide the safety data that many national insurance and financial institutions now require.
4. Building is still permitted. The 3.97m standard is an elevation requirement, not a "no-build" rule. Property owners can still develop in these areas by ensuring the habitable levels of the structure meet this safety height (using piers, stilts, or approved fill).
5. Future Reviews Council recognizes that climate data continues to change. To remain adaptive, Council has already approved a formal review of these regulations for 2029, five years ahead of the typical schedule. This ensures our community standards will always be based on the best available evidence.
How to get accurate information: Residents and property owners are encouraged to ignore the rumours and contact our planning staff directly for assistance with their specific development goals. Our team is here to help you navigate these safety standards and ensure your project is built to last. Our planning staff can be reached by phone at 902-530-2802 or by email at
planning@modl.ca.
