Are there any resources for owner-builders in Nova Scotia?

I've been looking for anything - books, courses, whatever - that might help familiarise the owner-builder with the NS Building Code and whatever other legal necessities are out there for anyone wanting to build their own house in NS. So far, I've come up with zilch. I know there's material for BC and Ontario, but the Maritimes are a black hole of information. To compound things, we're building with cordwood, so I figured on weeding through the info that assumes a stick build anyway. But there must be something for the amateur which is specific to NS.
Any ideas, anyone?

I know they have a fine of$685 or something for non compliance to building codes and only 10 fines were handed out in the one year. The building code of Canada applies nation wide but Nova Scotia has some special rules concerning RVs and tiny homes that probably wouldn't stand up in court. They told me I might spend 40k on the engineering for a stone house with concrete and rebar reinforcement. You can build a pond less than 23000 Lt without a permit. You can build a fence 6.5 without a permit and retaining walls that are not in a public space without permit. I was told that here in north Cowichan BC they only aprooved 15% of development permits that were submitted.

I spoke to a restaurant owner who was forced out of business due to covid he said sign nothing with them and don't apply for anything. People have the right to build their own houses under moral law and the moral law is destined to rule.

Jeff Hodgins wrote:I spoke to a restaurant owner who was forced out of business due to covid he said sign nothing with them and don't apply for anything. People have the right to build their own houses under moral law and the moral law is destined to rule.

He's, uh, not really a student of history, I take it?


I ignore moronic laws myself on a routine basis, but would suggest anyone considering the illegal option to think very carefully about risks, risk tolerance, worst case scenarios, and plans therefor.

are you referring to your 60 acres @ soldier's cove road?

if so - start here - make friends with the county - anyone and everyone.. there are only 9500 people in richmond county - reputation and handshakes are everything

http://www.richmondcounty.ca/

also...

https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/nova-scotia-building-code-regulation-user-guide

Worst case scenario would be I never bother to visit the land and people use it as a dump site for the next 20 years. Best case scenario? I find people who have an interest in doing something there and help them do it so the whole community can profit. I would especially like to grow food to sell locally at the reservation out front. And I would like to have the native kids learn about permaculture there.

Hi there K,

Welcome to the Maritimes!

Yes, NS building code is essentially the same as Canada's. Nova Scotia is quite progressive when it comes to tiny homes and grey water systems. Otherwise, you will be working with your county or municipality. Where are you planning to live? In any province, deviations from code (i.e., most natural building) will require an engineer. NS is lacking in professionals with a background in natural building, unfortunately. Engineering fees are usually marginal. Interestingly, cordwood building was developed in rural Southern New Brunswick, where I come from!

Feel free to reach out:
https://oxherder.ca

Dominic

Hi Everyone,  this may be off the topic being discussed but I'm trying to find out if anyone in Nova Scotia has found an engineer who will stamp a butt and pass log home?

Hi! I'm planning on building a cordwood home in NS as well- in the Cumberland County and would very much like to hear from others who have built stackwall homes that have passed county approval anywhere in Nova Scotia. Thanks!