Purpose
Permitted Uses
Principal Uses:
Single-dwelling residential
Agricultural (e.g., farming)
Intensive agricultural (e.g., large-scale farming operations)
Auxiliary Uses (supporting or secondary to principal uses):
Accessory buildings
Home occupation (small-scale business run from home)
Short-term commercial accommodation (guest unit or principal residence)
Resource use (e.g., extraction or processing of natural resources)
Kennel
Off-street parking
Campground (only on specific lots per Part 9.1.2 (a) .1)
Commercial (only on specific lots per Part 9.1.2 (a) .2 and (a) .3)
Protected non-farm use
Accessory dwelling units (e.g., secondary suite, garden suite, coach house)
Conditions of Use Related to Business/Commercial Activities
Home Occupation: A household business, in addition to agriculture, is limited to two of the following: short-term commercial accommodation (guest unit), home occupation, kennel, or secondary suite.
Short-Term Rentals: Must comply with Part 7.13 of the bylaw.
Resource Use: Must not cause nuisances (e.g., odor, noise, vibration) to surrounding areas.
Illuminated Greenhouses: Require light abatement measures (e.g., curtains, berms) and must limit light emissions to 5,000 lux.
Protected Non-Farm Use: May require a Business Licence per the District's Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw.
Accessory Dwelling Units: Limited to one secondary suite and one detached accessory dwelling unit per lot.
Special Conditions for Commercial Uses
Commercial uses are permitted only on specific lots approved by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) or exempt under certain conditions:
Campground:
Commercial Uses:
Electrical contractor business on Lot 2 (PID: 027-876-250) per ALC Resolution #287/2014.
Helicopter landing site on Lot 112 (PID: 008-027-064) per ALC Resolution #2056/75.
General contracting business on Lot 18 (PID: 006-499-091) per ALC Resolution #214/2015.
Welding shop on Lot 29 (PID: 008-928-193), exempt from Section 23 of the Agricultural Land Commission Act.
Site-Specific Exemptions:
Regulations for Business/Commercial Structures
Lot Size:
Intensive agricultural: Minimum 4.0 hectares (10 acres).
Detached accessory dwelling unit: Minimum 2,000 square meters (0.5 acres).
All other uses: Minimum 2.0 hectares (5 acres).
Gross Floor Area:
Detached accessory dwelling unit: 90 square meters (968 square feet) on lots <40 hectares; 186 square meters (2,000 square feet) on lots ≥40 hectares.
Other buildings: Not regulated.
Height:
Setbacks:
Intensive agricultural uses: 61 meters (200 feet) from front/rear/exterior side lot lines; 30.5 meters (100 feet) from interior side lot lines.
All other buildings: 7.5 meters (25 feet) from all lot lines.
Summary of Business and Commercial Focus
Commercial activities are tightly controlled and limited to specific lots with ALC approval or exemptions.
Home-based businesses (e.g., home occupation, kennels, short-term rentals) are allowed as auxiliary uses but restricted in scope (e.g., maximum of two household business types).
Larger-scale commercial uses (e.g., contractor businesses, welding shops, cannabis facilities) are permitted only on designated properties with strict size, setback, and operational conditions.
The zoning prioritizes agricultural integrity, meaning commercial uses must coexist without undermining the primary agricultural purpose.
STR - Short Term Rentals Summary for ALR Properties
STRs Allowed:
Within the principal residence (exempt from STRAA’s principal residence rule unless opted in by the local government).
As agri-tourism accommodation (up to 10 units, tied to farm use, no ALC approval needed if conditions met).
STRs Restricted: Non-agri-tourism STRs beyond the principal residence require ALC approval, which prioritizes agriculture over commercial rental use.
Requirements: Registration with the provincial registry (by May 1, 2025), compliance with local bylaws (e.g., business licenses if mandated), and adherence to ALR agricultural priority.
Exemptions: ALR lands are broadly exempt from the principal residence mandate, but local opt-ins can override this, aligning STRs with broader housing goals.
*Buyers of A zoned properties in Agassiz, Kent District, are to verify information provided here with the District of Kent.
