The B.C. government has extended its deadline for removing secondary homes from agricultural land for a second time, with promises that more on-farm housing will be allowed as long as local governments donB次元官网网址檛 object.

Landowners in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) now have until the end of 2021 to obtain permits to place a mobile or modular building for an immediate family member. Since an outcry over the NDP governmentB次元官网网址檚 first crackdown on secondary homes and business operations, Agriculture Minister Lana Popham is now promising to make room for B次元官网网址渘on-farmersB次元官网网址� and streamline permits for accommodation for farm and agri-tourism workers.

B次元官网网址淚n the coming months, government expects to detail rules that will, in most circumstances, enable ALR landowners to have both a principal residence (that could include a secondary suite) and a small additional residence, whether or not there is farming activity on the property, and without having to apply and receive permission from the Agricultural Land Commission,B次元官网网址� the ministry said in a statement April 9.B次元官网网址漈he ministry is proposing new rules to provide more flexibility to help farming families thrive and to benefit non-farmers living in the ALR.B次元官网网址�

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While the provincially-appointed ALC has moderated its housing position, Popham has elevated local governments as the gatekeepers for any construction on farmland. The government changed legislation to state that only local governments, not farmers are B次元官网网址減ersonsB次元官网网址� to the ALC.

B次元官网网址淟ocal government rules continue to apply and may be more restrictive on residential use of the ALR, and may even prohibit any additional residences on the ALR,B次元官网网址� the ministry said. B次元官网网址淧eople who are farming already have a path with the ALC to build one or more residences of any size if it can be demonstrated that they are reasonably necessary for farming purposes. The ALC approves approximately 80 per cent of applications for additional residences for farm use. Local government approval is also required.B次元官网网址�

tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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