Cozy Colchester
Why should I participate in Cozy Colchester?
Whether you are looking to get off oil with a heat pump, insulate your attic, or complete other renovations to increase the energy efficiency of your home – Cozy Colchester can help you every step of the way.
Not only does the program provide low interest financing to complete these upgrades, it also gives you access to an energy advisor to guide you through the whole process. This includes answering your questions, assisting with obtaining quotes, and ensuring you take advantage of the many provincial and federal rebate programs.
We make it simple...
- Improve the value and comfort of your home
- Easy access to technical advice
- No money down
- Low interest financing
- Savings that will exceed payments, in most cases
- Help to access and benefit from all eligible provincial and federal rebates
Connect with a program advisor today as we move towards our goal of being a carbon-free community. To get started, call 902-920-0615 (local Truro number) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
How do I participate?
-
Contact us for advice at 902-920-0615 & This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
-
We can help you get a Home Energy Assessment and quotes from local contractors
-
When you are ready, sign our Participant Agreement
-
We authorize contractor to proceed
-
We pay contractor once the work is complete
-
Start your payments and start saving
Eligible Projects
Cozy Colchester will support almost any project that saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Here are some examples:
- Air-source heat pumps
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Heat pump pool heaters
- Heat pump domestic water heaters
- Insulation and air sealing
- Exterior windows
- Exterior doors
- Smart thermostats
For solar PV, visit our Solar Colchester webpage.
Call for Contractors!
Are you a local contractor/supplier and want to know more about the program and grow your business?
To express interest or get invited to our next industry engagement session, give us a call at 902-334-6031 (Contractor Hotline) or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Financing
Have your project pay for itself through energy savings!
Key Financing Terms:
-
Financing through your property, not personal credit
-
2.75% interest rate
-
10- or 15-year terms, depending on the upgrade
-
One-time 5% admin fee to cover program administration costs (see more details below in The Fine Print)
-
No fees for early repayment
-
Finance up to $30,000 or 25% of your property value (whichever is less)
-
Low monthly payments with typical savings that will exceed payments
Do you qualify for our Low-Income Administration Fee Exemption?
To better serve low-income residents of Colchester County, we have expanded our efforts to make Cozy Colchester and Solar Colchester programs more accessible. The 5% administration fee will be waived for all qualifying households with incomes below the following thresholds:
| Household Size | Maximum Net Household Income (Line 236 of Notice Assessment) |
| 1 person | $27,250 |
| 2 to 4 people | $50,635 |
| 5 or more people | $72,113 |
To apply, please contact Sarah Lynds at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 902-897-3170.
Let’s minimize costs and maximize energy savings, together!
Homeowners eligible for the Low-Income Admin Fee Exemption may also be eligible for free home upgrades through Efficiency Nova Scotia’s HomeWarming program. Visit HomeWarming.ca for more information.
Combine with other Incentives
You could be eligible for federal or provincial rebates to support your project! Call us at 902-920-0615 and an energy advisor will help you access available incentives, such as:
Greener Homes: https://www.efficiencyns.ca/residential/services-rebates/greener-homes/
HomeWarming (for low-income households): https://www.homewarming.ca/
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Grant (for low- to median-income households): https://www.efficiencyns.ca/residential/services-rebates/oil-to-heat-pump/
The Fine Print
Call us if you would like to see a sample Participation Agreement at (902) 812-5028.
Additional Fees & Charges: There is a one-time 5% administration fee for each project to cover program administration costs, including energy concierge services, arranging free home energy assessments, checking property value & property tax status, helping homeowners navigate the rebate process, drafting and executing legal agreements, setting up and collecting monthly payments for 10-15 years, etc. For example: a $20,000 project with a 10-year loan term will have a $1,000 admin fee, equivalent to $8.33/month.
The administration fee may be paid in full upfront or added to the loan principal at the same interest rate. Note that Solar Colchester and Cozy Colchester are operated on a user-pay model for the Municipality. This means the programs are not being subsidized by non-participating taxpayers.
There will be additional fees for missed loan payments.
This project was carried out with assistance from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, an endowment created by the Government of Canada.
Planning
Planning staff coordinated, facilitates, and processed applications for Municipal Plan Amendments, Rezoning, and Zone Amendments and these application require County Council and Planning Advisory Committee approval.
Any person considering the development of a parcel of land or redevelopment of existing buildings, should contact Planning staff to determine compliance with Municipal Planning Strategies, Land Use Zoning By-Laws, or any other applicable by-laws.
Contact Planning at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.
pdf Plan Amendment Chart(483 KB)
Current Applications
View the interactive map showing current applications for rezoning, by-law amendments and development agreements.
Forest Management Plan
Final Report
pdf FINAL Report Forest Management Plan MOC FMP 2023(13.20 MB)
Appendicies
Solar Colchester
Why should I participate in Solar Colchester?
We make it simple...
- Generate clean energy and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions
- Easy access to technical advice
- No money down
- Low interest rate
- Savings that will exceed payments, in most cases
- Help to access and benefit from all eligible provincial and federal rebates
How do I participate?
-
Contact us for advice at 902-920-0615 & This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
-
We can help you get quotes from local contractors and a Home Energy Assessment (as needed)
-
When you are ready, sign our Participant Agreement
-
We authorize contractor to proceed
-
We pay contractor once the work is complete
-
Start your payments and start saving
Eligible Projects
Solar PV (photovoltaic) projects on residential properties with up to four units are eligible
for financing. Please give us a call to confirm eligibility.
For other energy efficiency projects, visit our Cozy Colchester webpage.
Call for Contractors!
Are you a local contractor/supplier and want to know more about the program and
grow your business?
To express interest or get invited to our next industry engagement session, give us a
call at 902-334-6031 (Contractor Hotline) or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
See our up-to-date list of approved Solar Colchester contractors below:
pdf Solar Colchester List of Approved Contractors (Feb 2026)(407 KB)
Financing
Have your project pay for itself through energy savings!
The Solar Colchester program was designed to have your monthly savings exceed monthly repayments.
If you would like to receive an estimate quote for your desired upgrade, please call the program to speak to your Energy Concierge.
Key Financing Terms:
- Financing through your property, not personal credit
- 2.75% interest rate
- Up to 15-year term
- One-time 5% admin fee to cover program administration costs (see more details below in The Fine Print)
- No fees for early repayment
- Finance up to $30,000 or 25% of your property value (whichever is less)
- Low monthly payments with typical savings that will exceed payments
Do you qualify for our Low-Income Administration Fee Exemption?
To better serve low-income residents of Colchester County, we have expanded our efforts to make Cozy Colchester and Solar Colchester programs more accessible. The 5% administration fee will be waived for all qualifying households with incomes below the following thresholds:
| Household Size | Maximum Net Household Income (Line 236 of Notice Assessment) |
| 1 person | $27,250 |
| 2 to 4 people | $50,635 |
| 5 or more people | $72,113 |
To apply, please contact Sarah Lynds at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 902-897-3170.
Let’s minimize costs and maximize energy savings, together!
Homeowners eligible for the Low-Income Admin Fee Exemption may also be eligible for free home upgrades through Efficiency Nova Scotia’s HomeWarming program. Visit HomeWarming.ca for more information.
Combine with other Incentives
You could be eligible for federal or provincial rebates to support your project! Call us at 902-920-0615 and an energy advisor will help you access available incentives, such as:
Solar Homes: https://www.efficiencyns.ca/residential/services-rebates/solar-homes/
Greener Homes: https://www.efficiencyns.ca/residential/services-rebates/greener-homes/
The Fine Print
Call us if you would like to see a sample Participation Agreement at 902-920-0615.
Additional Fees & Charges: There is a one-time 5% administration fee for each project to cover program administration costs, including energy concierge services, arranging free home energy assessments, checking property value & property tax status, helping homeowners navigate the rebate process, drafting and executing legal agreements, setting up and collecting monthly payments for 10-15 years, etc. For example: a $20,000 project with a 10-year loan term will have a $1,000 admin fee, equivalent to $8.33/month.
The administration fee may be paid in full upfront or added to the loan principal at the same interest rate. Note that Solar Colchester and Cozy Colchester are operated on a user-pay model for the Municipality. This means the programs are not being subsidized by non-participating taxpayers.
There will be additional fees for missed loan payments.
This project was carried out with assistance from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, an endowment created by the Government of Canada.
Development, Zoning, GIS & Civic Addressing
Zoning & Development
The Development Control section of Community Development is responsible for the administration of the Colchester Land Use By-law and the Subdivision By-law. These are administered by the Development Officer (DO) and include:
Contact the Development Officer’s office with your questions about zoning, requirements needed for a development permit, or about the policies or by-laws.
Phone: 902-897-3170
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In Person: Main floor of the County Courthouse, 1 Church Street, Truro
Development Permits - as mandated through the Colchester Land Use By-law for the entire County. These permits are issued prior to building permits, ensuring that all internal and external approvals, as necessary, are obtained. These include the Provincial Department of Public Works and Municipal Public Works, and the Department of Environment and Labour, among others.
To apply for a permit, visit our new online permit system!
Zoning Map Please click here to view the map
Property Status Reports - are written zoning confirmations available to the public at no charge. Most legal firms use this document for property transactions as it ensures the potential purchaser that the property can be used as intended.
pdf Request a Property Status Report(248 KB)
GIS and Civic Addressing
This Department maintains information in a series of database files for end user applications, property queries and decision-making purposes. The department is also responsible for maintaining the civic address databases and mapping for the Emergency 911 System.
Contact the Property Information Department for information about civic numbers or street names, and to learn more about our policies and procedures for the naming and renaming of private and municipal roads.
For more information on civic addressing, pdf click here.(510 KB)
You can now apply for civic address numbers and order civic number signs using our new online permit system!
Phone: 902-843-4169
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In Person: 1 Church Street, Truro, NS