Short-Term Rental Regulations in Nova Scotia: Antigonish & Pictou County (New Glasgow, Pictou)

Stricter rules for short-term rentals in Nova Scotia, effective September 30, 2024, aim to address housing shortages and ensure compliance. All short-term rentals in Antigonish and Pictou County must register annually, with fees based on property type. This guide covers the provincial framework, local rules for both Antigonish County and Pictou County, and the steps needed to operate legally.

Nova Scotia Provincial Rules

In September 2024, Nova Scotia introduced the Short-Term Rentals Registration Act (STRRA), creating a province-wide system for managing short-term rental operations. If you are renting out a property for fewer than 28 consecutive days, you need to register it with the Short-Term Rentals Registry.

Registration Requirements

Property Type	Annual Fee
Primary Residence (1–4 bedrooms)	$50.00
Primary Residence (5+ bedrooms)	$150.00
Commercial STR – Tier 1 (Halifax area)	$2,000.00
Commercial STR – Tier 2 (Antigonish & Pictou)	$500.00
Commercial STR – Tier 3 (select small towns)	$240.00

Registration Exceptions

Certain types of properties are not required to register:

• Long-term rentals: Properties rented for more than 28 consecutive days
• Temporary worker housing: Accommodations specifically for temporary workers
• Open-air facilities: Campgrounds without permanent roofing structures

Secondary suites come with additional restrictions. If the unit is not used as a primary residence, it is treated as a commercial short-term rental. Additionally, owners who received funding through the Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program cannot operate short-term rentals unless the unit serves as their primary residence or they obtain a written exemption from the Minister.

Antigonish County Rules

Permits and Zoning

Reach out to the municipality to confirm your property's zoning compliance. You can email rentals@edpc.ca with the following details:

• Your full contact information and mailing address
• The address of the rental property
• Whether the property is owner-occupied

You will need to provide proof that the property is your primary residence (if applicable), written consent from the property owner (if you are a renter), and approval from the condo board (for condominium units).

Safety Rules

To stay compliant, all registered properties must:

• Include a valid registration number in all online listings
• Follow all municipal bylaws
• Undergo periodic property inspections
• Keep emergency contact information accessible

Pictou County Rules

New Glasgow and Pictou Rules

In urban areas like New Glasgow and Pictou, commercial short-term rental hosts must meet specific requirements. These include displaying valid registration numbers, providing proof of compliance with local municipal bylaws, and completing registration by September 30, 2024. Additionally, hosts must submit annual documentation by April 1.

City vs. Rural Rules

Location Type	Registration Requirements	Annual Fee
Primary Residence (All Areas)	Proof of primary residence	$50
Commercial Urban (New Glasgow/Pictou)	Municipal compliance documentation	$500
Tourist Accommodations (1–4 rooms)	Safety compliance proof	$50
Tourist Accommodations (5+ rooms)	Extended safety documentation	$150

Rural properties located outside town limits are generally subject to fewer restrictions compared to urban areas. However, all properties must meet specific local compliance standards.

How to Follow Local Rules

Registration Steps

For primary residences:

• Provide proof of primary residence
• Submit documentation showing compliance with local bylaws
• Pay a $50 registration fee

For commercial properties in New Glasgow and Pictou County:

• Pay a $500 registration fee for Tier 2 properties
• Submit all required municipal documentation
• Renew your registration annually by April 1

Insurance Requirements

Standard homeowner's insurance typically does not cover short-term rental activities. For personal policies, ensure coverage includes protection against theft and vandalism, coverage for guest property (up to $1,500), and compensation for fair rental value.

For commercial policies, coverage must include general liability, property damage, business interruption insurance, and a minimum of $1,000,000 coverage per occurrence.

Guest Rules

Category	Requirements	Implementation
Noise	Follow quiet hours	Written rules
Parking	Use designated spots	Clear signage
Waste	Proper sorting/disposal	Written guidelines
Occupancy	Limit guest numbers	Booking restrictions

Effects on Local Housing

As of July 30, 2024, there were 7,235 registered short-term rentals across the province, including 107 active Airbnb listings in Antigonish with an average occupancy rate of 46% and hosts earning around $21,000 annually.

This growth has sparked several challenges: long-term rental properties are being converted into short-term accommodations reducing housing options, housing shortages are especially severe in university towns like Antigonish, and vulnerable groups face greater difficulty finding housing.

Summary

Requirement	Details	Deadline/Fee
Provincial Registration	Required for all properties	April 1 annually
Documentation	Proof of municipal compliance and ownership	Before operation
Commercial STR Rate (Tier 2)	Applies to Antigonish & Pictou County	$500 per year
Primary Residence STR	Covers up to 4 bedrooms	$50 per year
Traditional Tourist Accommodation	For 5+ bedrooms	$150 per year

Non-compliance can result in fines as high as $100,000. For Antigonish properties, email rentals@edpc.ca to request a compliance letter. Processing typically takes 2–3 weeks.

For province-wide context, see our Nova Scotia STR Regulation Hub. To understand how zoning maps work, read our guide to Nova Scotia zoning maps and bylaws.