Agricultural Land Reserve in British Columbia: What Limits Apply?

If you own or plan to buy rural land, it may be inside the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). That status limits what you can build, what business you can run and whether you can divide the land.

This article outlines the main limits on housing, subdivision and other uses. Rules and thresholds may be amended, so confirm the current position before relying on them.

This article covers the law of British Columbia.

Why ALR status matters

The Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) oversees land in the ALR. Local governments still have bylaws, but the ALR adds a layer on top of local zoning.

Whether a use is allowed can depend on both. Some uses can be restricted but not prohibited by local governments, while others can be prohibited.

Housing on ALR land

Generally one principal residence is allowed per parcel, and no ALC approval is needed if its total floor area is 500 m² or less. A secondary suite is allowed only inside the principal residence, and local bylaws must permit it and may restrict or prohibit it.

An additional residence is allowed without ALC approval only if one residence exists when construction starts, it is detached from the principal residence, and it is no larger than 90 m² on parcels of 40 ha or less or 186 m² on parcels over 40 ha. Any fill or soil removal for it needs a Notice of Intent.

A Non-Adhering Residential Use application is required in these cases:

• a principal residence over 500 m²
• an additional residence over the size cap
• more than one additional residence
• keeping the old home while a replacement is built
• any residential use not complying with the ALCA or ALR Use Regulation

Fill for a principal residence is allowed without authorization if the fill area is 1,000 m² or less.

Farm and non-farm uses

Farm uses under Part 2 of the ALR Use Regulation, including wineries, farm retail sales and agri-tourism, can be restricted but not prohibited by a local or First Nation government.

Part 3 permitted non-farm uses, such as home-based businesses, pet kennels, and conservation and passive recreation, need no ALC application or approval if conditions are met, and some can be prohibited by local or First Nation governments.

For short-term rental, renting a whole house in the ALR is not permitted by regulation without an application. Bed-and-breakfast use in a principal residence is allowed without application when limited to four bedrooms, per ALC guidance.

Subdivision in the ALR

Land in the ALR cannot be subdivided unless specifically allowed by the ALC or a regulation, and approving officers generally cannot approve or register an ALR subdivision without that. The restrictions apply to all ALR parcels, including those under 2 acres.

The ALCA sets no minimum parcel size, and meeting a local minimum does not guarantee ALC approval.

One exception is homesite severance. Under ALC Policy L-11, an eligible owner may apply for a one-time subdivision to separate an existing homesite, generally if they owned and lived on the property as their principal residence on or before December 21, 1972 and will sell the remaining land. There is no automatic right.

Approving officers also apply the usual tests, including conformity with zoning and subdivision bylaws.

What to do next

Whether land can be excluded from the ALR is a separate question that depends on the facts. A lawyer can confirm the process before you commit to a purchase or plan.

• Confirm whether the parcel is in the ALR before you buy or build.
• Measure the planned residence against the floor area limits.
• Check local bylaws for secondary suites and business uses.
• Ask whether your use needs an ALC application.
• Do not assume a local minimum lot size means a subdivision will be approved.
• Check the ALC website, since thresholds may change.

Frequently asked questions