On March 9, 2026, the Town of Bridgewater in Nova Scotia approved a change that allows for more housing options on 283 properties throughout the community. These properties have been moved from single-home zoning to two-unit residential zoning.
This decision means that property owners in these specific areas can now build duplexes or other two-unit buildings. The town is making this change to increase the local housing supply as part of its agreement with the federal Housing Accelerator Fund.
Local leaders say the goal is to create “gentle density” in existing neighbourhoods to help solve the regional housing shortage. This town-wide approach is meant to make it easier for builders to add new homes compared to the old method of changing rules for one property at a time.
Anyone who wants to challenge this change has until April 1, 2026, to file an appeal. These appeals must be sent to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board within 14 days of the public notice that was posted on March 18, 2026.
