List of municipalities in Nova Scotia

[1] Nova Scotia's 49 municipalities cover 99.8% of the territory's land mass, and are home to 98.7% of its population.

[4][8] The regional municipality of Halifax is the capital and largest municipality of Nova Scotia by population with 439,819 residents representing 45% of the total population of the province and land area at 5,475.57 km2 (2,114.13 sq mi).

If the request is unanimous, the NSUARB commissions the preparation of a study to determine if the incorporation of "a regional municipality would be in the interests of the people of the county."

Nova Scotia's Governor in Council can order the incorporation of a regional municipality if the results of the study are deemed to be in the best interests of the people, and if a plebiscite is undertaken that results in the majority of electors in the county voting in favour of incorporation of a regional municipality.

[11] Prior to the establishment of rural municipalities in 1879, local government was administered by appointed courts of sessions.

[10] On April 17, 1879, the original non-elected courts of sessions were abolished in favour of elected councils when The County Incorporation Act came into force.

[2] Prior to the establishment of elected rural local government in Nova Scotia, 6 of the 18 historical counties were divided into districts for court sessional purposes.

[10] The district municipalities provide local government to the residents of the 6 historical counties who live outside incorporated towns.

[6] Nova Scotia's largest and smallest district municipalities by population are Lunenburg and St. Mary's with 25,545 and 2,161 residents respectively.

[2] Prior to mid-2015, towns were incorporated under the authority of sections 383 through 388 of Nova Scotia's Municipal Government Act (MGA).

[13] Upon receiving the application, the NSUARB would undertake a hearing to solicit input from interested parties and determine if there were reasonable grounds to incorporate as a town.

Nova Scotia's largest and smallest towns by population are Truro and Lockeport with 12,954 and 476 residents respectively.