Build in North Sydney

Marine Atlantic ferry terminal, lowest construction costs in Nova Scotia, and sub-1% vacancy create rental opportunities

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North Sydney, Nova Scotia — ink and watercolor illustration

R-M

Primary Zone

From $160K

Per Unit Cost

From $2,000/mo

Standard Rent

Zoning in North Sydney

Multiple zones allow multi-family development as-of-right, with varying density allowances.

R-L

Up to 2 Units

Low-density residential zone for single-family and two-unit dwellings. Accessory dwelling units permitted in all residential zones under CBRM Forward.

10m (2.5 storeys) 40% coverage No parking req

R-M

Up to 6 Units

Medium-density residential zone allowing small multi-unit buildings. Primary target zone for Helio development in North Sydney.

11m (3 storeys) 50% coverage No parking req

R-H

Up to 12 Units

Higher-density residential zone allowing apartments and larger multi-unit buildings. Limited availability in North Sydney.

15m (4 storeys) 60% coverage No parking req

Why Build in North Sydney?

✓

Marine Atlantic Employment Base

The Marine Atlantic ferry terminal is one of the largest employers in the area, providing stable year-round employment. Ferry crews, terminal staff, and support workers create consistent rental demand.

✓

20% Lower Construction Costs

North Sydney shares Cape Breton's 0.80x cost multiplier - the lowest in Nova Scotia. Combined with affordable land prices, your investment delivers significantly more units per dollar than Halifax.

✓

Sub-1% Vacancy Rate

CBRM's vacancy rate plummeted from 8.2% in 2020 to 0.8% in 2023 - the lowest in Nova Scotia. North Sydney benefits from this regional housing shortage with strong tenant demand.

✓

No Minimum Parking Requirements

CBRM's new Land Use By-law eliminated parking minimums, maximizing buildable area on your lot. More units per lot means better returns on your land investment.