Bill 43: Coastal Protection Act (amended)

This primarily affects property owners, developers, contractors, and builders working near Nova Scotia's coastline — think residential construction crews, cottage developers, landscaping companies, and marine infrastructure firms operating along the province's shorelines. Once the regulations take effect, anyone planning to build, modify, or infill structures within the Coastal Protection Zone will need to obtain permits and meet new standards set by the province and potentially administered by municipalities. Solo operators like independent contractors doing waterfront renovations and small development companies building coastal properties will face new approval steps before breaking ground. The size of the operation matters less than the location — if your work touches the coastal zone, you'll need to understand the new rules around what's permitted, what requires a licensed professional's sign-off, and what's outright prohibited.