The provincial government announced this week greater flexibility in hosting weddings, concerts and other non-agricultural events on Agricultural Land Reserve properties.

“Our job is to protect agriculture land not just for today but for future generations. But it’s also to help farmers gain more income on their farms so they can be more sustainable.” said B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick.

Before the changes were put in place, farm owners said they had unclear rules of what non-farming activities could take place on ALR land.

Under the new rules, no new permanent structures can be built for the event, parking must be on the farm and can’t interfere with farming activities, and the number of guests must be capped at 150 or less.

Also, the farm can only host a maximum of 10 events in a calendar year.

“This is the compromise,” said Letnick.

“The challenge is finding that balance. There are some people that don’t want to see any activity on farm land, but there are others who want to open it right up.”

Farmers hosting weddings for their own family and friends, for free, are still exempt from applying for the permit.

The ALC started a crackdown on farms last summer that irked brides and grooms forced to find new venues weeks before their big day.

One of the main concerns brought forward by land owners during the public consultation was the amount of noise and traffic these events could create.

To deal with those concerns, the province has put in very specific rules about where vehicles must be parked, including off local roads. But the rules also state farm owners cannot build permanent event parking on farm land.

Source: Government of BC/CBC