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.
Collection Schedule
Collection Zones
Amherst residents have all three solid waste streams (garbage, recycling, and compost) collected on the same day, once every two weeks. There are three different collection days, depending on where you live in town. Find your home on the Collection Zones Map to determine your collection day and week.
You can also check your bi-weekly collection day by visiting the Waste Collection Days interactive map. Search for your address, then click on your home where it appears on the map. The system will tell you your collection day and week.
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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.
What Does This Mean for Town of Amherst Residents?
Bulky Item Collection
Town of Amherst residents can place one bulky item out for collection on every collection day. Bulky items include furniture, mattresses and box springs, coffee tables, washers, dryers, stoves, fridges, etc. This does not include construction and demolition debris.
Construction and Demolition Materials (C&D)
Town of Amherst residents can include one bag of construction and demolition debris (wood, shingles, flooring, etc.) with their regular garbage, provided they do not exceed the 6-bag limit. For larger amounts of C&D, residents can take their materials to the Cumberland Central Landfill in Little Forks. For information about tipping fees call 902-597-2799.
Weekly Organics Collection
Town of Amherst residents will have weekly organics collection every year starting in July and continuing until September. Materials must be placed out for collection on your regular scheduled collection day.
Christmas Tree Collection
Christmas trees will be collected once a year in January. Town of Amherst residents can also take their tree to the Town Garage located on 14 McCully Street (Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm).
Dual-Stream Recycling
The Town of Amherst adopted a dual-stream approach to recycling in 2018. This means residents will use two separate plastic bags for recyclables: one for paper products, and another for recyclable containers.
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Access more information about solid waste services on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
For more information on this 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.
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(490 KB)
- pdf Building Permit Application(64 KB)
- pdf Demolition Permit Application(21 KB)
Deck Forms
If you are building a deck, one of the forms below must be printed, filled out and returned to the Town, with the building permit application, via regular mail or email.
NOTE: The design within the forms is 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
Current water rates and regulations as presented by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
Water Rates
Effective April 1, 2023:
- Metered – Consumption Rate = $0.860 per cubic metre (billed quarterly)
- Un-metered = $92.57 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-metred (Mini Homes) =$44.63 per quarter
*If you require wastewater services to an undeveloped lot in Amherst please call 902-667-3352.
