The Municipality of Chester, as with all municipal units in Nova Scotia, has a set of official planning documents that have been formally adopted by Council. They are:
Village of Chester Secondary Planning Strategy (and maps) - a document that sets the direction for future land use in the Village of Chester and surrounding area. These policies deal with residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial land use, and with service matters such as solid waste collection and disposal, sewage and treatment systems, and recreation.
Land Use By-law - a document that divides the Village of Chester and surrounding area into zones, states the uses permitted in each zone, and provides requirements for each zone, including minimum lot size, setbacks from property lines, and height. Residential use includes standards for density, while other areas may include specific design requirements.