Welcome to the Alberta Food System Policy Database

See document for siting and coverage regulations for buildings and structures in Agriculture and Golf Zones. 

6. Seasonal farm labour accommodation shall only be permitted on:

a) a site zoned AG3;

b) a lot located in the Agricultural Land Reserve;

c) a lot designated for ‘agriculture’ in the General Land Use Map contained in the Official Community Plan; and

d) a lot classified as ‘farm’ under the BC Assessment Act. 7.

The following provisions must be met to permit seasonal farm labour accommodation:

a) minimum farm operation size of 8.09 ha;

b) the seasonal farm labour accommodation must be located on the same lot as an existing single detached housing;

c) only one seasonal farm labour accommodation is permitted per farm operation;

d) a building used for seasonal farm labour accommodation shall not exceed 400.0 m2;

e) a maximum of 40 seasonal farm labour occupants per seasonal farm labour accommodation is permitted; Section 14: Agriculture and Golf Zones 14.1-5 2706166

f) minimum floor area per occupant is to be 10.0 m2 ; and

g) a building used for seasonal farm labour accommodation shall be considered a dwelling with all regulations relating to density, minimum and maximum yards and height to apply.

8. The following limitations apply to seasonal farm labour accommodation:

a) a building used for seasonal farm labour accommodation must adhere to all relevant components of the Building Code and the City’s Building Regulation;

b) a lot that contains a building used for seasonal farm labour accommodation is subject to inspections by the City during any 12 month period to ensure that occupation is in compliance with the regulations contained in this zone;

c) a building used for seasonal farm labour accommodation does not need to be removed when not occupied by seasonal farm labour if the use is required on an ongoing, annual basis for the agricultural purpose of the farm operation;

d) if seasonal farm labour accommodation is no longer required for the farm operation, all buildings used for seasonal farm labour accommodation must be removed and the land restored to its original state; and

e) costs of removal of the seasonal farm labour accommodation building and restoration of land to its original state are to be the responsibility of the property owner.

farm retails/gates sales;

Roadside Stands and Farm-Based Wineries 

.1. A roadside stand that is used for farm retail sales shall: a) have an interior floor area of not more than 93.0 m², except for sites zoned Roadside Stand (CR) which shall have an interior floor area of not more than 190.0 m²; and b) have a use which is accessory to the use of the farm operation upon which the roadside stand is situated.

.2. Farm retail sales at a roadside stand are permitted if: a) all the farm product offered for sale is produced on the farm on which the retail sales are taking place; or b) at least 50% of the retail sales is limited to the sale of farm products produced on the farm on which the retail sales are taking place.

.3. The total area, both indoors and outdoors, used for the retail sales of all products shall not exceed 300.0 m².

.4. The floor area of all farm-based winery buildings and structures shall not exceed the lesser of: a) 1,000.0 m²; or b) a maximum floor area ratio of 0.05”. 

urban agriculture;

Uses Permitted in All Zones

...Agriculture is permitted as a secondary use in all zones (i.e., it occurs in conjunction with a principal use, for example single detached housing) in order to encourage and accommodate community gardens, green roofs, vertical farming and other forms of urban agriculture. The following conditions apply in certain instances with respect to agriculture being permitted as a secondary use in all zones:

a) There may be covenants or caveats registered on the title of the land which could restrict the type of agriculture permitted (e.g., prohibition on the raising of chickens, rabbits or other domesticated animals). Property owners and tenants are advised to check their current certificate of title for any covenants or caveats which may be registered and affect the use of the site.

b) Only properties which are assessed as a “farm” under the Assessment Act are permitted to raise livestock. c) A medical marihuana production facility and medical marihuana research and development facility is not permitted.

Roadside Stand Regulations - all Classes

18.1.1 The operator of any class of roadside stand must not:

(a) sell at retail or display for sale at retail, from or in a building or structure or vehicle, any farm produce, without first obtaining a licence to do so; or

(b) operate any class of roadside stand other than the class for which the licence was issued.

18.1.2 Every roadside stand operator must:

(a) ensure that his roadside stand: (i) has an interior that is easily maintained at all times in a sanitary condition; and (ii) does not create a traffic hazard;

(b) provide sufficient free vehicle parking to ensure that roadside stand customers: (i) are able to park their vehicles clear of all highways; and (ii) are not required to reverse their vehicles onto a highway when leaving such roadside stand;

(c) permit the Licence Inspector or the Building Inspector to enter, at all reasonable times, onto any land and into any buildings, to establish whether the provisions in this bylaw are being obeyed; and

(d) comply with and ensure that all persons assisting or employed in the operation of such roadside stand comply with any provincial regulations governing sanitation and the operation of food premises.

See document for additional regualtions related to roadside stands.

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

Participate in regional initiatives such as the IH Food Security HUB endorsed by Let Us Share the Harvest (LUSH) organization, to develop a more sustainable food system, including food production, processing, transportation, and waste diversion.

food production;

urban agriculture;

edible landscaping;

pilot project;

6.3.3 (7)

food production;

urban agriculture;

pilot project;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

protection of farming development permit area ;

ALR ;

buffer at agricultural edge;

10.3

 The keeping of animals where permitted in the Zoning Bylaw as an agricultural use, shall comply with the following restrictions:

(i) In the A1, A2, A3 zones, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is a ½ acre (.20 ha.) in area or less: three (3) rabbits or three (3) urban hens as regulated in Schedule A, or a combination thereof are permitted.

(ii) In the A1, A2, A3 zones, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is more than ½ acre (.20 ha.) but less than 1 acre (.40 ha.) in PAGE 6 BYLAW NUMBER 5252 area: ten (10) rabbits or ten (10) poultry or a combination thereof are permitted.

(iii) In the A1, A2, A3 and RR zones, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is more than 1 acre (.40 ha.) but less than two acres (.81 ha.) in area: one (1) horse, or one (1) cow, or one (1) sheep, or one (1) other large animal; plus ten (10) rabbits or ten (10) poultry or a combination thereof are permitted.

(iv) In the RR zone, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is or exceeds 2 acres (.81 ha.) in area: not more than two (2) of any of horses, cattle, sheep, or a combination thereof; plus an additional (3) animals consisting of horses, cattle, or sheep, or a combination thereof if temporarily kept as part of an Animal Clinic, Minor or Major as defined in the Zoning Bylaw; plus twenty (20) rabbits or twenty (20) poultry, or a combination thereof are permitted.

(v) In the A1, A2, A3 zones, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is more than 2 acres (.81 ha.) in area, the number of animals and poultry is limited to a reasonable number of animals, to be determined by the poundkeeper acting reasonably, in relation to the primary or secondary uses to which the lot is put. 

food production;

urban agriculture;

livestock;

urban chickens; 

URBAN HEN REGULATIONS

1. No owner shall allow his or her urban hen to run at large.

2. No person shall keep more than 3 hens, except as an agricultural use within an agricultural zone as established by the Zoning Bylaw.

3. An owner of urban hens shall keep them on a lot that has: a) at least one single family detached dwelling on it; b) a frontage of at least 12 meters; and, c) a depth of at least 20 meters.

4. Every owner of urban hens shall provide a coop for the urban hens.

5. All coops shall be located in the rear yard of a lot and shall fully enclose the urban hens and prevent them from escaping. “Chicken tractors” may be used to move urban hens to new areas for foraging during daylight hours.

6. Rear Yard Siting of Coops a) If a property line is 23 meters or more from any neighbouring residential structure, a coop shall be located a minimum of 1 meter from the rear lot line.. b) If a property line is less than 23 meters from a neighbouring residential structure, or the neighbouring lot is vacant, a coop shall be located at least 3 meters from the rear lot line. c) Every coop shall be located at least 3 meters from any side lot line of the lot on which the coop is located. 

7. Every coop shall be designed and constructed to ensure proper ventilation and sufficient space for the urban hens and shall be maintained in accordance with good animal husbandry practices and shall keep all vermin out. Every coop shall be constructed in such a manner that a person may easily access the coop to remove feces, clean nest boxes, and undertake other maintenance of the coop and care of the urban hens.

8. All dead urban hens shall be legally disposed of immediately, and in any event, within 24 hours.

9. No backyard slaughter is allowed.

10. Hygienic storage of and prompt removal of feces is required. No accumulation of more than 1 cubic meter of composted manure is allowed.

11. All types of food supply shall be protected against vermin.

12. No person may keep urban hens unless registered with the Clerk or designate and upon paying the required fees and charges, as outlined in the City’s Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time.

13. If the owner of urban hens suspects any urban hen is infected with a communicable disease, the owner shall immediately contain the urban hen or urban hens affected and consult a veterinarian licensed to practice in British Columbia to diagnose the condition. If the diagnosis confirms that the urban hen is infected with a communicable disease, the owner shall immediately notify the Public Health Department of Interior Health and comply with any direction that may be issued by a Public Health Inspector in this regard.

urban agriculture;

food production;

livestock;

urban chickens;

greenhouses;

Urban Agriculture

.1 The keeping of backyard hens and bees is a permitted use in the City of Terrace, as set out in the City’s Animal Control Bylaw.

.2 Small Scale Urban Agriculture is a permitted use in the R1, R1-A, R2, RS1, P1 and P2 zones, under the following conditions: a. A greenhouse is subject to the setback requirements for an accessory building, and is permitted to a maximum size of 20 m2 ; and b. Lighting is permitted within a greenhouse, provided that the lighting is not directed onto neighbouring parcels.

sinting and coverage;

ALR;

See document for siting regulations for buildings and structures in agricultural zones (AR1 and AR2).

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban chickens;

livestock;

Backyard Hens (Added by #1977-2011)

Permitted Areas

In residential zones R1, R1-A and R2 (as well as existing permitted areas shown on SCHEDULE “B”) the keeping of up to four (4) backyard hens will be permitted for personal use, provided that no neighbourhood health, environmental or nuisance problems result. Keeping of Hens A person who keeps one (1) or more hens, up to a maximum of four (4), must:

(a) reside on the property where the hens are kept, or obtain written permission from the property owner;

(b) situate hens in a back or sideyard which is fully fenced;

(c) situate coops at least one and a half (1.5) metres from the property line and three (3) metres from windows and doors of a dwelling; Animal Control - 12 - Bylaw No. 1255-1991 (Consolidated)

(d) provide each hen with at least 0.5 metres squared (0.5 m2 ) of coop floor area, and at least 1.0 metre squared (1.0 m²) of roofed outdoor enclosure;

(e) provide and maintain, in each coop, at least one perch, for each hen, that is at least fifteen (15) centimetres long, and one nest box;

(f) provide and maintain a floor of any combination of vegetated or bare earth in each outdoor enclosure;

(g) not keep hens in a cage;

(h) provide each hen with food, water, shelter, light, ventilation, veterinary care, and opportunities for essential behaviors such as scratching, dust-bathing, and roosting, all sufficient to maintain the hen in good health;

(i) maintain each hen enclosure in good repair, in a manner that prevents entrance by other animals (fully enclosed) and keep the enclosure in sanitary condition, free from vermin and obnoxious smells and substances;

(j) follow biosecurity procedures recommended by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency;

(k) keep hens for personal use only, and not sell eggs, manure, meat, or other products derived from hens;

(l) not slaughter, or attempt to euthanize, a hen on the property; and (m) register the backyard hens with the City of Terrace Animal Shelter.

food production;

urban agriculture'

beekeeping/apiculture;

pollinators;

livestock;

Keeping of Backyard Bees: (Added by #1991-2012)

Permitted Areas

In residential zones R1, R1-A, R2 and designated City of Terrace Community Garden properties (in addition to existing permitted areas shown on SCHEDULE “B”) the keeping of up to two (2) beehives as well as (2) nucleus colonies will be permitted for personal use, provided that no neighbourhood health, environmental or nuisance problems result. Keeping of Beehives Animal Control - 13 - Bylaw No. 1255-1991 (Consolidated)

(a) no more than two beehives and two nucleus colonies are permitted in residential zones R1, R1-A, R2 and designated City of Terrace Community Garden properties;

(b) beehives are for personal use only;

(c) residents keeping beehives must reside on the property where the beehives are kept, or obtain written permission from the property owner;

(d) beehives are restricted to backyards;

(e) all permitted beehives must be registered with the apiculture registration system for British Columbia, coordinated by the BC Ministry of Agriculture (BCMA). Under the authority of the Provincial Bee Act, a person must not keep bees or possess beehive equipment unless the person is registered;

(f) site of all beehives shall comply with a 1.5 metre setback from side and rear parcel lines; and

(g) each beehive shall comply with one of the following requirements in order to ensure the appropriate height of honeybee flight path:  The entrance to the beehive(s) will be facing away from neighbouring properties and be located in a backyard which has a continuous fence or hedge that is 1.8 metres in height, or;  If installed on an elevated platform (deck, rooftop, etc.) beehive(s) will be situated 2.5 metres or more above ground level.

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban chickens;

livestock;

“No person shall keep, harbour or permit to remain upon permitted premises within the City of North Vancouver more than eight (8) hens in aggregate”

“Hens shall be kept for personal use only, and eggs, manure, meat, and other products derived from hens shall not be sold”.

“The keeping of roosters is prohibited”.

“Hens shall not be slaughtered or euthanized on the property. Hens shall only be disposed of by delivering to a farm, abattoir, veterinarian, or other facility that has the ability to dispose of hens lawfully”.

“The keeping of hens shall comply with all zoning requirements as per Zoning Bylaw No. 6700”