The Nova Scotia government is considering an end to the last remnants of prohibition by removing "dry" areas, plebiscites and changing the rules around when restaurants can serve alcohol.

Even though the provincial prohibition on the sale of alcohol was lifted back in 1929, there are still 105 so-called dry areas where it's illegal to operate a drinking establishment without community approval through a plebiscite — or direct electorate vote.

"The system of restricting the permissible locations of licences and [liquor] stores in Nova Scotia is outdated and offside with how the issue is handled in other provinces," the government said in a document sent to municipalities seeking their feedback.

There are also 60 areas without a liquor store, where a plebiscite is required to bring one in.

"We're doing this to bring ourselves in line with the rest of the country and to modernize the Liquor Control Act," said John MacDonald, executive director of Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco.

MacDonald said Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada that has "dry" areas through provincial legislation. In other parts of the country, such designations are regulated by the municipality.

Cost and voter turnout

A 2012 plebiscite in Kings County cost $11,312 and only 10 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot. Another in Lockeport in 2013 cost $10,086 with a 34 per cent turnout.

MacDonald says in the last ten years every plebiscite has voted to go wet.

"The trend is they all eventually do go wet, so our plan is to propose turning the entire province wet and then if municipalities want to keep an area, or a portion of an area dry, then they can do that through municipal zoning."

The executive director of the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia, Gordon Stewart, says his organization supports the government's proposed changes.

"It's not an issue that people are really concerned about today," Stewart said. "We just see it leveling the playing field across Nova Scotia."

The government is also considering changing the rules that prohibit serving alcohol to anyone who doesn't order food, instead suggesting people be permitted two drinks without buying a meal.

Stewart says the move would improve customer service, since tourists expect they can order a drink without food as they can elsewhere in the world.

Linda Gregory, warden of the Municipality of the District of Digby, said her council hasn't discussed the proposed changes. But personally, she welcomes them.

"I think it's a good thing. They're moving into the 20th century," she said with a chuckle. "I know we're further than the 20th century, but they're taking steps."

MacDonald says removing plebiscites will benefit small business because it's time consuming, and says government is always looking at ways to eliminate red tape and help small business grow while maintaining public safety.

The Tourism Industry of Nova Scotia is also welcoming the changes. A spokesperson told CBC News that anything that reduces red tape and save taxpayers money makes sense.