Town Departments
Never forget your garbage day again! Download the mobile app "Cumberland County Solid Waste" in your App Store, or download the Amherst schedule below.
About Solid Waste Collection in Amherst
The Town of Amherst has a contract with Miller Waste Systems Inc. that includes:
- Three-stream collection of solid waste (garbage, recyclables, and organics)
- A spring and fall collection of leaf & yard waste
- Christmas tree collection in January
- Weekly organics collection in the summer
- Biweekly collection of one bulky item (washer, dryer, couch, chair, etc.).
Removed from the contract are the yearly special collection of bulky items, special collections for construction and demolition debris, and the second collection of Christmas trees in May.
Waste Separation Guide
Visit our Waste Separation Guide page.
Collection Schedule
Visit our Collection Schedule page.
Collection Zones
Visit our Collection Zones page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Access more information about solid waste services on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
For questions related to landfill tipping fees, hours of operations, or the septage facility, please contact the Cumberland Central Landfill directly at 902-597-2799.
For more information on solid waste collection and other programs call 902-667-5141, or download the free "Cumberland County Solid Waste" mobile app by visiting your app store.
Solid Waste Education & Contract Coordinator: Brenda Rioux
Phone: 902-667-5141
Email:
The Town of Amherst Building Inspector has the authority to inspect houses and commercial buildings to ensure compliance with the plans, standards and regulations, and check workmanship. People want to live and work in safe places, so the Building Inspector ensures that construction meets codified requirements.
Online Forms
To fill out an online Building & Property Services Complaint Form, for complaints under the Dangerous & Unsightly Premises Policy, Solid Waste Bylaw, Land-Use Bylaw, Building Bylaw or Minimal Standards for Residential Occupancies, please go to Building & Property Services Complaint Form.
To fill out an online application for a Building, Development or Demolition Permit, please go to Permit Application Form.
Printable Forms
If you chose not to use the online forms and wish to download them to be printed, filled out and returned later in-person, via normal mail or email, please click on the links below.
- pdf Building and property services complaint form(1.22 MB)
- pdf Building Development Permit Guide(2.10 MB)
- pdf Building Permit Application(621 KB)
- pdf Demolition Permit Application(21 KB)
Building a Deck
Use our pdf Building a Deck in Amherst(5.05 MB) pamphlet to record all of your project's important information.
Submit this to Town Hall in person at 98 Victoria Street East - be sure to include your building permit application. You can also submit the information about your deck project via mail or email along with your permit application.
NOTE: Designs provided here are for illustration and information purposes only. Each circumstance is unique, which may result in other designs being more applicable. The Town of Amherst is not liable for damages resulting from the design.
To request a building inspection, please contact:
Marc Buske, Building Official
Phone: 902-694-2318
Fax: 902-667-5409
Email:
Water
Quarterly Billing Schedule
January - Bills are mailed by the last day of the month, due the last business day of February
April - Bills are mailed by the last day of the month, due the last business day of June
July - Bills are mailed by the last day of the month, due the last business day of August
October - Bills are mailed by the last day of the month, due the last business day of November*
*Due to circumstances beyond our control, there was a delay in sending out water bills, therefore the payment deadline has been extended to December 12, 2025.
Current water rates and regulations as presented by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
Water Rates
Effective April 1, 2023:
- Metered – Consumption Rate = $0.894 per cubic metre (billed quarterly)
- Un-metered = $95.81 quarterly
- Sprinkler System 6” =$250.00 per Annum
- Sprinkler System 8” =$300.00 per Annum
- Private Hydrants =$250.00 per Annum
If you require water services to an undeveloped lot in Amherst please call 902-667-3352.
Documents
- pdf North Tyndal Wellfield(1.07 MB)
- pdf Wellfield Protection Strategy(36 KB)
- pdf Production Transmission Distribution(675 KB)
- pdf Disinfection(27 KB)
- pdf Amherst Water Utility Meets Federal-Provincial Requirements(68 KB)
Sewer
Owners of non-residential properties or businesses are encouraged to review the bylaw as strict limits are included for concentrations of certain substances which are deemed to be detrimental to the efficient operation of a sewage collection system and sewage treatment plant.
Sewer Rates
Based on Water Consumption
- Residential =$0.99 cubic metre – billed quarterly
- Commercial =$0.49 cubic metre – billed quarterly
- Sewer Flat Un-metered (Mini Homes) =$47.31 per quarter
If you require wastewater services to an undeveloped lot in Amherst please call 902-667-3352.
