What You Need to Know if Living in the ALR around Golden, BC
Owning property in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) can be a dream come true for those seeking rural living and farming opportunities. But before you start building or renting out your space, you’ll need to be familiar with the rules. The ALR has strict rules designed to preserve its agricultural potential, and two hot topics in the policy are housing regulations and short-term rentals. Rural Golden, BC is under the Columbia – Shuswap Regional District AREA A District. For the most part, this district does not have any zoning, however, a property may fall within the ALR, then these rules would apply.
Living in the ALR comes with its own set of housing rules:
- Smaller parcels (<40 hectares): You can build a principal residence (up to 500m²) with an additional 90m² home, perfect for multi-generational living.
- Larger parcels (>40 hectares): No size restrictions on the principal home, and an additional residence can be as large as 186m².
- You can’t go wild with the footprint! The combined residential footprint for all structures should be less than 2,000m², leaving plenty of room for agriculture.
- Manufactured homes are allowed but must have been permitted before July 31, 2021.
- Need a new house but want to keep the old one temporarily? You can, as long as the old home is removed within 60 days of the new build.
Short-Term Rentals in the ALR
The ALR allows for short-term rentals in both primary residences and as part of agri-tourism activities, but there are some crucial distinctions.
1. Short-Term Rentals in Primary Residences:
- You can offer short-term stays, such as through Airbnb, but only within your principal residence.
- The rental is limited to 4 bedrooms, and you, as the landowner, must live on-site.
- Rentals must be under 30 days, making this a great option for weekend getaways or seasonal stays.
- However, whole-home rentals (where the entire residence is rented out without the owner on-site) are not permitted without approval from the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).
2. Agri-Tourism Accommodation:
- If your property is classified as a farm under the BC Assessment Act, you can take advantage of offering agri-tourism accommodation. This setup ties short-term stays to farm-based activities, providing guests with an immersive rural experience.
- You’re allowed up to 10 sleeping units (think cabins, trailers, or even tents), but these must be tied to farm-related experiences like tours, petting zoos, or harvest festivals.
- The total footprint for these accommodations must be less than 5% of your land, ensuring that the primary use remains agricultural.
Whether you’re offering a bed-and-breakfast experience or a farm-stay retreat, these options let you tap into the growing demand for rural tourism while keeping your land productive.
Curious about how these changes could impact your ALR property? Click here to dive deeper into the ALR’s housing and rental policies.
Always check directly with the Agriculture Land Commission prior to any plans for an additional dwelling or short-term rental on your property within the ALR. This summary is not intended for legal advice.
