Agricultural Development

Requirements of the Land Use By-law
Municipal policies and bylaws have been developed to restrict the amount of non-farm development that can take place in the Agricultural (A1) Zone. If your lot meets the qualifications to allow a non-farm dwelling in the A1 Zone, there are steps required before construction can take place. If the Development Officer determines that your property is suitable, he or she will require Site Plan Approval. This is a process that allows Municipal staff to guide development to comply with the applicable land-use policies and regulations.

All applications requiring site plan approval for non-farm dwellings in the Agricultural (A1) Zone must comply with the following criteria as described in Section 11.1.8.3 of the Land Use Bylaw.

A. The dwelling must be no more than 100 feet from the front lot line and should be as close to it as possible. Exceptions may be made if this is not viable because of steep slopes, very poor drainage, other natural factors or cropland is established along the road.

B. The proposed dwelling must be at least 600 feet from any existing commercial livestock operation (or that has received a development permit). This minimizes potential conflict between the livestock operation and the non-farm dwelling.

C. There must be a vegetative buffer between the proposed dwelling and cropland on a neighbouring parcel to minimize visual and noise impacts and potential spread of dust, pesticides or other air-borne particles. The buffer must exist even if the cropland and non-farm dwelling are owned by the same person.

D. Existing vegetation may form a sufficient buffer, but if it must be planted it should consist of trees at least 4 feet tall (at time of planting) and spaced no more than 30 feet apart.

E. The property owner must submit written acknowledgment that the dwelling is located in the Agricultural Zone. This ensures awareness of the land-use regulations in place.

Development Process for Non-Farm Dwellings in the Agricultural (A1) Zone.

1. Demonstrate that land qualifies for a non-farm dwelling as per Section 11.1.8.1, criteria of the Land Use Bylaw.

2. Property owner applies for the formal agricultural site plan approval, which has a fee of $300.00.

3. Staff and property owner negotiate site plan and a draft Agreement produced.

4. Development Officer approves or refuses Agreement.

5. Notification of appeal period to neighbors within 100 feet of the subject property, if approved by the Development Officer.

6. If no appeals are lodged with Municipal Clerk, Agreement is recorded against title.

7. Property owner notified that property is now eligible for development permit.

This process takes approximately 4 - 6 weeks.