Government Announces Increased housing flexibility in the ALR
Monday, July 12, 2021 11:30 AM
Victoria
New rules will allow property owners in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) increased housing flexibility, helping farmers and non-farmers support their families and businesses in their communities.
Options for an additional small secondary home have been added to regulations, allowing farmers and ALR landowners to have both a principal residence and small secondary residence on their property with a streamlined approval process. Only permissions from local government or First Nations government will be required, and there will be no application to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).
The additional residence can be used for housing extended family, agritourism accommodation, housing for farm labour or a rental property for supplemental income. There is no longer a requirement that additional residences must be used by the landowner or immediate family members.
“Our government’s goal from the outset has been to protect farmland for future generations, so British Columbians can have a secure local food system and our communities can prosper,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “We recognize the unique needs of established farming families, those new to farming and those living in the ALR who don’t farm.”
Examples of flexible housing options permitted under the regulation include, but are not limited to:
garden suites, guest houses or carriage suites;
accommodation above an existing building;
manufactured homes; and
permitting a principal residence to be constructed in addition to a manufactured home that was formerly a principal residence.
The changes respond to the feedback received in regional engagement sessions and to the ministry’s policy intentions paper, where ALR landowners made it clear they wanted this type of residential flexibility.
“We took the time to listen and come up with solutions that will help both farmers and non-farmers alike, while protecting the integrity of our valuable agricultural land,” Popham said. “We hope this regulatory change will assist new farmers starting their businesses, encourage landowners to partner with new farmers to get their land into production, and address the needs of British Columbian families. Having an option for housing opens up new doors to families and provides more opportunities for more agricultural land to go into production, increasing our province’s food security.”
Farming families will continue to be able to apply to the ALC for multiple, larger homes if they are necessary for farming purposes.
The new rules come into effect Dec. 31, 2021.
Facts about ALR housing flexibility
The size of a small secondary residence will depend on the size of the land parcel and the existing home.
On parcels 40 hectares or smaller, if the existing residence is 500 square metres (approximately 5,400 square feet) or less, a second residence of 90 square metres (approximately 970 square feet) or less can be built.
If the existing residence is larger than 500 square metres, then a small secondary residence for non-farm use would not be permitted. However, farmers can still apply to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) for an additional residence for farm use.
On parcels larger than 40 hectares, a second residence 186 square metres (approximately 2,000 square feet) or less is permitted, no matter the size of the first residence.
Landowners who had previously invested in a secondary manufactured home on their land have until Dec. 31, 2021, to ensure appropriate permits and authorizations are in place. This grandparenting period has been extended from the previous July 31 deadline.
Filing a notice of intent for soil/fill use to the ALC for the additional residence continues to be a requirement.
