Question 1

How do the parking meters work downtown?

Accepted Answer

You can pay with quarters, loonies and toonies at the meter or with the HotSpot app (enter the zone shown on the sign). Meters are enforced 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., free on Sundays, statutory holidays and in December–February, and time limits are enforced, hardest in July and August. There is free, non-metered parking on streets a short walk from the shopping district; the town publishes a downtown parking map at townoflunenburg.ca/parking.html.

Everywhere in town, parking within 5 m of a crosswalk or 7.5 m of an intersection can get you a ticket. If a car is blocking your driveway, call the RCMP non-emergency line, 902-634-8674.

Question 2

Where can I park overnight, or get a monthly pass?

Accepted Answer

The town runs six small off-street lots where overnight parking (5:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.) is allowed with a monthly pass: Lincoln Street (22 spaces), Blockhouse Hill (18), the Green Street tennis court (13), Linden (5), Kaulback (2) and Oxner (2).

A pass costs $29.35 a month plus HST, sold at Town Hall, 119 Cumberland Street — or call 902-634-4410 ext. 226.

Question 3

What is the winter parking ban?

Accepted Answer

During winter storms and snow clearing, the town enforces the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act rule against leaving a vehicle anywhere on the street where it could get in the way of snow removal. Cars can be moved or towed and the cost charged to the owner. Park off-street during and after a storm until the streets are cleared.

Questions: Public Works, 902-634-4410 ext. 225.

Question 4

When does the garbage go out, and how is it sorted?

Accepted Answer

Waste is collected in four streams on alternating weeks: recyclables (blue bags) and paper (clear or grocery bags) one week, then compost (green cart) and garbage (clear bags) the next. Badly sorted waste is left behind. Everything must be out by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.

In 2026, compost is collected weekly from July 8 to August 28, and three holidays shift pickup: January 1 moves to January 3, April 3 to April 4, and December 25 to December 26. The full 2026 calendar is on townoflunenburg.ca/garbage-collection.html, and the free R6RECYCLES app gives day-before reminders for your address. Questions: Public Works, 902-634-8992.

Question 5

Is the emergency department in Lunenburg open right now?

Accepted Answer

Not always. The ER at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital closes on short notice, sometimes for days at a time, so check before you drive: Nova Scotia Health posts the current notice on the hospital’s page at nshealth.ca/locations-and-facilities/fishermens-memorial-hospital.

Virtual urgent care runs at the hospital 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. every day, walk-in only, even when the ER is closed — a nurse on site connects you with a doctor or nurse practitioner online. The nearest round-the-clock ER is South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, about 20 minutes away (902-543-9167). For health advice any hour, call 811. In an emergency, call 911.

Question 6

What’s happening with water meters?

Accepted Answer

Every home and business on the town water utility is getting a water meter — a mandatory program, driven by recent drought conditions, that began in January 2026. The town has been wrapping the project up since mid-2026; Neptune returned for a final round of installs on September 9–11. Neptune Technology Group does the installations for the town: the meter and the work are free, the appointment takes 30–90 minutes, the water is shut off briefly, and an adult (18 or older) must be home.

If you still haven’t had yours installed, don’t wait — contact the water utility now at waterutility@townoflunenburg.ca. The town has said unmetered properties could eventually have their water service suspended. Appointments run Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Question 7

Who do I call about a power outage?

Accepted Answer

The town owns its own electric utility, serving the town plus Garden Lots, Blue Rocks, First Peninsula, Stonehurst, Mason’s Beach and Lilydale — so in town you report outages to the town, not to Nova Scotia Power. After hours, call the town’s emergency dispatch: 902-527-0150. During office hours, call Town Hall, 902-634-4410.

If you’re in the surrounding District (MODL) on the Nova Scotia Power grid, report outages to NS Power at 1-877-428-6004 or at nspower.ca/outages.

Question 8

Am I in the Town of Lunenburg, or the District (MODL)?

Accepted Answer

The Town of Lunenburg is only about 4 km² around the harbour. Everything surrounding it — including Garden Lots, Blue Rocks and First Peninsula — is the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL), a separate government with its own garbage schedule, taxes and bylaws.

If a schedule or notice on this site doesn’t match what happens on your street, you may be in MODL. When in doubt, call Town Hall, 902-634-4410.

Question 9

Do I need a permit to burn brush?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The town requires a burning permit before any outdoor burning, on top of the province’s daily BurnSafe restrictions. Contact the Fire Inspector at 902-530-3778.

Question 10

Is there a bus?

Accepted Answer

There’s no fixed-route public transit. Lunenburg County Wheels, a non-profit, runs pre-booked door-to-door accessible rides across western Lunenburg County, including the town — call 902-523-4455 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–noon and 1:00–5:00 p.m.) to book.

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