Notice:  Saturday curbside collection changing to Mondays

Saturday, October 11

Residents who live in areas that have curbside collection on Saturdays will have their collection day chagned to Mondays effective October 20.

For garbage, blue bags and green cart.

• The last scheduled Saturday collection day is Saturday, October 11.
• The new Monday collection schedule starts Monday, October 20.

Please note,  your area's Blue Bag collection week does not change.

Smoke Alarm Installation Program

The Smoke Alarm Installation Program provides and installs smoke alarms free of charge for eligible homeowners in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM).

Smoke alarms are your best line of defence against fire and can cut the risk of fatality in a house fire nearly in half. Smoke alarms save lives. But a smoke alarm can’t save your life if it isn’t working.

To ensure more residents can benefit from this program, the program offers one smoke alarm per floor with bedrooms. For example, if you have two bedrooms on the same floor, you’ll receive one alarm. If bedrooms are on two different floors, you’ll receive two alarms.

Due to limited supply, smoke alarms will be distributed based on need and in the order requests are received. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2025, or while supplies last.

If you do not have a working smoke alarm, please fill in the form HERE or call 311 for assistance in filling out the form. The Fire Department will contact you if you are eligible for the program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What do I do after filling in the form?

The Fire Prevention Officer will review the requests and assign them to the appropriate local fire department for service.

2. How much does it cost?

The smoke alarms and installation are free of charge to eligible homeowners as part of this program.

Read more ...

Property tax bills issued online this year: Residents asked to check balances online before paying

October 6, 2025

CBRM RELEASE-- Property tax bills issued online this year: Residents asked to check balances online before paying
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Final 2025 property tax bills have been issued, and residents can now check their balances online through the CBRM website.

Because of the ongoing Canada Post work disruption, property tax bills will not be mailed as usual. 
Residents are advised that the payment due date remains November 4, 2025. The work stoppage does not delay or change the deadline for payment.

Balances can be viewed online at:
🔗 CHECK YOUR TAX BILL BALANCE OWING

To check your tax bill balance, you will need:

• The first and last name listed on the bill, and
• Your tax account number

Your tax account number can be found on a previous bill, through your online banking, or by contacting 311 by phone or through the online 311 form: CONTACT THE 311 CENTRE ONLINE.

Online access to water bill balances will be available starting October 14.

There are several methods to pay a tax or water bill:

1. Online banking through your banking institution. Cape Breton Regional Municipality “Tax”  and  Cape Breton Regional Municipality “Water” are separate payees.

2. In person by cheque or cash at the Citizen Service Centre at City Hall, 320 Esplanade, in Sydney. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

3. Cheque by delivery to: 
City Hall  - Tax Accounts
320 Esplanade 
Sydney, Nova Scotia 
B1P 7B9 

Indicate your account number on the cheque.

4. Online by credit card through Paymentus (there is additional fee for this service) CREDIT CARD PAYMENT

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