N.S. news: 2023 wildfire rebuilt homes assessed value capped [Video]

The Nova Scotia government is capping property assessment values for homes that were rebuilt in the wake of the 2023 wildfires in Shelburne County and the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Amendments to the Residential and Resource Property Taxation Assessment Regulations will stop increases in the capped assessed value of a property that was rebuilt “substantially similar to its pre-wildfire condition,” according to a news release from the government.

“During the election, I spoke with residents who lost their homes and learned more about how the assessment process was negatively affecting them,” said Premier Tiim Houston in the release. “These changes will help protect affected homeowners from harsh property tax increases when they rebuild homes destroyed in this devastating event.”

The amendments also allow for a 25 per cent increase in square footage for the rebuilt homes in the Upper Tantallon area, the Municipality of the District of Barrington and the Municipality of the District of Shelburne.

The amendments will apply to …