No permit is required for fences up to two metres in height. The setback requirements is zero metres from the property line. The fence cannot have barbed wire, broken glass, or other pointed objects on it. It cannot have horizontal members or any decorative work that would enable climbing. Please see Section 5.3 of the Zoning By-law.
You may be able to keep chickens. Please see Section 9.9 of the Zoning By-law.
Community Planning, Building Inspection, Infrastructure Development, and Heritage Conservation form the City’s One-Stop Development Shop to serve all of your development needs. The One-Stop Development Shop reviews applications and works with large developers and homeowners alike to ensure the success of your development project and the prosperity of our City.
Community Planning is responsible for preparing policy documents and implementing by-laws to guide and regulate the development in a smart and sustainable manner.
Building Inspection works with developers and consultants to ensure that buildings meet the National Building Code of Canada to ensure they are safe and comfortable to live in for years to come.
Infrastructure Development approves engineering drawings, municipal servicing plans, drainage systems, and utility installations to protect City infrastructure and ensure that citizens are not adversely affected by new development.
The Heritage Conservation Service identifies, protects, and promotes that which is important to the culture and history of Saint John. The City of Saint John is proud of its 225 years of rich heritage represented in our people and our architecture.
For over 25 years the City of Saint John has been a leader in implementing best practices in energy efficiency.
2020 | Understanding Climate Change in Saint John: This report serves to inform residents, businesses and policy makers in the City of Saint John of the social, economical and environmental impacts of Climate Change. (Published by by ACAP Saint John) | |
2019 | The City's Corporate and Community GHG and Energy Action Plans are adopted by Saint John Common Council. The Corporate Plan aims to reduce GHG emissions by 30% and the Community GHG emissions by 9% by 2025. | |
2018 | The Saint John City Market undergoes significant energy upgrades. | |
The Pedestrian and Transit Strategy Reports are completed as part of MoveSJ. | ||
2017 | Saint John Common Council adopts the Asset Management Policy and Roadmap that aims to integrate climate change into decision-making about infrastructure assets, such as roads, buildings, and water and wastewater systems. | |
The MEEP program receives national recognition with the Quest Smart Energy Communities Award - Local Public Service Sector. | ||
2016 | City partners with Saint John Energy to launch an energy efficiency awareness program for elementary school students. | |
2015 | Saint John Energy donates a leading edge solar digital lighting system for Lily Lake Trail in Rockwood Park. | |
The City of Saint John, in cooperation with Saint John Energy and the Saint John Parking Commission, install the first Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station at Peel Plaza Parking. | ||
The City's Parks and Recreation Service launches the Green Machine, a 14’ trailer equipped to support community. | ||
2014 | The City of Saint John celebrates 100 per cent completion of the Harbour Clean Up Project. | |
2013 | One Peel Plaza, the new HQ for the Saint John Police Force, is recognized with the Premier’s Award for Energy Efficiency. The Police Headquarters is a LEED Gold Building and received a $1 million grant and $10 million in low interest loans toward the energy efficiency measures. | |
2012 | The first Public Energy Monitoring Dashboard System in New Brunswick using real time data was installed in 2012 at the City Hall to monitor and report on energy and water performance at the Saint John Transit building. | |
Saint John Common Council adopts the new Municipal Plan which includes energy and environmental policies and by-laws to address: Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, Renewal Energy, Green Urban Design and Energy Monitoring. | ||
The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of New Brunswick recognizes the City of Saint John with the Showcase Award for Engineering Excellence for the Eastern Wastewater Treatment Facility. | ||
2011 | City wins two awards: Premier's Award for Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency Champion Premier’s Award for Energy Efficiency, project – Commercial New Premier’s Award for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency Champion Construction, Saint John Transit |
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2010 | A trail and bikeway strategic plan is presented to Common Council. | |
Saint John Transit Unveils Parcobus | ||
Saint John Sustainable Energy Management Team awarded Milton F. Gregg Conservation Award by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. | ||
The City of Saint John is recognized among the Top 13 in North America for Best Energy Management Practices Commission for Environmental Cooperation. | ||
2008 | City performs and energy audit on all four city arenas. By this time, more than 70 energy retrofit projects have been implemented in more than 50 buildings and facilities. A state-of-the-art Energy Management Control System (EMCS) allows for remote energy monitoring of individual buildings. | |
City awarded Federation of Canadian Municipalities-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community Award. | ||
City of Saint John adopts Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. | ||
2006 | City of Saint John joins Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) | |
2004 | City of Saint John wins Canadian Association of Municipal Administrator (CAMA) Environment Award | |
1996 | The City of Saint John adopted a Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP), pre-empting Kyoto. The MEEP is a city-wide program to reduce municipal operations energy consumption. The program was initiated by conducting the first comprehensive annual analysis of energy consumption and related costs of municipal operations. |
Outdoor recreational fires are a popular activity particularly during the summer months. While the Province of New Brunswick issues burning permits and advisories according to conditions in various areas of the province, cities in New Brunswick are responsible for the regulation and enforcement of controlled outside burning within their municipal boundaries. Each city has its own by-laws regarding outdoor fires.
The Saint John Fire Department does not issue burning permits. Burning for the purposes of clearing land, property, or the disposal of any material does not constitute a recreational fire and is prohibited.
CITY OF SAINT JOHN OUTDOOR FIRE REGULATIONS
- Property owners are permitted to burn approved materials for recreational purposes in the proper manner.
- Recreational fires can be contained in an approved retail unit and/or at site that satisfies the requirements as listed
- Approved materials consist of clean wood or wood products (no chemically treated wood or building materials.)
GUIDELINES FOR BACKYARD FIREPLACES
- Must not be used on a combustible deck or surface unless approved for such use (ULC or WHI).
- Must be used with all screens in place and closed.
- No treated wood is to be used as fuel. (e.g. pentox or creosote).
- No refuse or garbage is to be burned.
- No chemically treated wood is to be used as fuel (e.g. Presto Logs).
- Must have a 10-litre pail of water or a connected garden hose nearby while in use.
- Must maintain proper clearance from combustibles (1.5m from buildings and fuel supplies, 3m from tall grass and 15m from wooded areas).
- Some units require clearance from bottom of unit to ground.
- Must follow manufacturer's instructions.
- Must not be left unattended while in operation and all embers extinguished when fire has been completed and not left to burn out on its own.
- Must not be overloaded (screens must be kept closed except for when charging the unit).
- Open circles of rocks and tire rims (campfires or bonfires) are not permitted under this approval, and home-made devices must incorporate a screen having an opening of not more than 12mm when being used as a recreational fireplace.
Screened:
- 1.5 meters from combustibles
- 15 meters from wooded areas
- 3 meters from tall grass
- Screens must be a maximum of 12 mm
Not Screened:
- 150 meters from wooded areas or other property structures
- Do not burn in high wind conditions
- Backyard fireplaces (retail units) must be used in conjunction with manufacturer's instructions and U.L.C., W.H.I. approved usage methods
Builders and artisans from the distant past crafted our built heritage. Community members from the near past and present have ensured that many of these buildings survived. These forward-thinking individuals recognized the potential value of heritage buildings to the City’s future and their work is now evident on City streets.
The first heritage committee of Common Council, the Preservation Review Board, was formed in 1980, and the City’s first Heritage Conservation Area, Trinity Royal, was created in 1982. Today, Common Council’s Heritage Development Board, a citizen board, and the Heritage Officer oversee the service.
The Heritage Development Board is a critical part of the City’s commitment to protect and maintain the City’s built heritage. Primary responsibilities of this board are to review applications for major alterations to existing buildings, new construction, and demolition in the City’s Heritage Conservation Areas, and to provide recommendations to Common Council on Heritage By-Law Amendments. The Board also recognizes excellence in building conservation through an annual award program. The Heritage Development Board meets the first Wednesday of the month.
To see agendas for upcoming meetings, to review minutes of past meetings, and to inquire about becoming a member of this board, please click the appropriate links. Reporting to the Board, the City’s Heritage Officer acts as an interface between property owners, the Board and other city departments and services, primarily Building Inspection and Planning. The Heritage Officer can also approve applications dealing with regular building maintenance in Heritage Conservation Areas.
There is incredible value—social, economic, and aesthetic—captured in our City’s built heritage. When we preserve our historic architecture for future generations, everyone in the city is richer for it. The City operates a Heritage Grant Program in order to allow property owners in heritage conversation areas to take pride in their heritage buildings, and to incentivize owners to maintain their properties in accordance of the Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas By-law.
These grants are not construction subsidies—they’re intended to assist owners in retaining traditional materials and details of character-defining elements and, if necessary, replace them with new components, matching the original materials and profiles.
There are three benchmark grants.
- Heritage Maintenance Grants are available to properties without a Conservation Plan in place and are also available to tenants for storefront signage.
- Heritage Conservation Grants support large conservation projects for properties that have a Conservation Plan in place. There two levels of funding provided by the Conservation Grant, depending on the nature of the project: minor funding supports maintenance work, as outlined in the Conservation Plan; major funding supports restoration work to original character-defining elements, and for major projects such as masonry or structural repair.
- Heritage Conservation Plan Grants are provided to offset the cost of retaining a design professional (architect or engineer) to prepare a Conservation Plan for designated heritage properties. A Conservation Plan provides the property owner with a phased plan to undertake required heritage/structural work.
Other grants maybe available per the current policy.
Planning to host an event in a public space in the City of Saint John? The City's Special Events Team is here to help!
Our team can help answer your questions and provide guidance about which municipal spaces are available, municipal bylaws that apply, permit requirements and event planning best practices.
All community events on municipal property require City approval to reserve the space and ensure the safety and success of all the event elements. Approval is contingent on many factors including the nature of the request, venue availability, completion and submission of all necessary event requirements. Submission of an event application constitutes a request for use of a public parks space or street closure for the purpose of an event and does not guarantee event approval.
Depending on the size and scope of your event, you may be approved as early as 2 weeks, however a minimum of 4 weeks and sometimes longer than 16 weeks may be required to review and process your application.
The City of Saint John reserves the right to revoke access and/or cancel an event up to and including the day of the event or at any time during an event.
The Minimum Property Standards Program inspects rented residential apartments in Saint John to ensure they meet minimum requirements for health, safety and comfort.
Complete the submission package below and submit to onestop@saintjohn.ca or in person at the One-Stop Development Shop, 15 Market Square, ground floor, City Hall.
Public notices are required by law to inform citizens of upcoming decisions to be made by Saint John Common Council. Notices may involve details of proposed infrastructure, real estate development, zoning and other bylaw amendments.
Notices are posted here on the City of Saint John website and distributed to e-mail subscribers to allow for citizens' review and response.
To respond to a public notice, review proposed amendments, or request to participate in public hearings, please contact the City Clerk's Office.
Complete the submission package below and submit to onestop@saintjohn.ca or in person at the One-Stop Development Shop, 15 Market Square, ground floor, City Hall.
If you know of an unoccupied building that has become a hazard to public safety, you can complete a complaint form.
Complete the form below and a member of our team will connect with you regarding your inquiry. Please note, we do not accept anonymous complaints.
An unsightly property can include anything like derelict vehicles, junk, garbage, and scraps from construction or demolitions.
Complete the form below and a member of our team will connect with you regarding your inquiry. Please note, we do not accept anonymous complaints.
If you have a safety concern with regards to a rental property (a “Minimum Standards” complaint), please complete the complaint form. A member of our team will connect with you regarding your inquiry. Please note, we do not accept anonymous complaints.
Is there a property you know of that is being used for a purpose other than it is zoned for? If so, you may submit a complaint.
Complete the form below and a member of our team will connect with you regarding your inquiry. Please note, we do not accept anonymous complaints.
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at 04:00 PM
As a result of the recent closure of the Zoo, the City of Saint John is seeking to re-establish a new vision/business opportunity for potentially 30 acres of land on the periphery of City owned Rockwood Park. This area consists of natural forested lands in Millidgeville, near the Saint John Regional Hospital, University of New Brunswick Saint John campus and the Rockwood Park Golf Course. The footprint for the former Zoo facility is currently fenced and has several shelter structures and two, year-round buildings.
The City is seeking Expressions of Interest from experienced business operators/entrepreneurs interested in a long-term lease. Pursuant to the City’s Zoning By-law, the property is located in the Park (P) zone, which permits a variety of uses that are considered appropriate for this area.
Expressions of Interest must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m., A.D.T., Wednesday, March 31, 2021.