Changes to Housing Rules on ALR Land - Effective December 2021
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Changes to Housing Rules on ALR Land - Effective December 2021
It is now less than 60 days before the Agricultural Land Commissions new
rules come into effect in regards to secondary housing on ALR farming
properties. The new changes will certainly provide ALR acreage owners and
farmers alike with a greater degree of flexibility with growing and expending
their operations while at the same time being in a position to provide housing
to staff, workers, guests, and more. The new changes have certainly
garnered a lot of attention as here at BC farm & Ranch Realty we have
noticed a significant increase in the Buyers looking for opportunities to
purchase ALR farmland with the new potential for two homes. Application
times are expected to be greatly reduced as well with applications going
straight to local governments for approvals.
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.
Source:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AFF0043-001352
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