AG1: Agriculture 1

What the zone allows

Homes allowed

One house on lots under 8 ha, two on 8 ha or more, plus secondary dwelling units under s. 3.16 (within the ALR's rules)

Main uses

Farming, forestry, licensed cannabis production (ALR land only, lots of 4 ha or more, 50 m from lot lines); agri-tourism, bed and breakfast, home child care, guest ranch (no overnight stays), home business

Smallest lot for a subdivision

60 ha (100 m wide)

Lot coverage

25%

Height limit

Main buildings 11.5 m, accessory buildings 10 m

Setbacks

5 m from every lot line

The zone is mostly ALR land: every use there is also subject to the Agricultural Land Commission Act and its regulations.

Secondary dwelling units (s. 3.16): with community sewer, one attached suite and one detached cottage; on septic, one or the other on lots under 1 ha, both on 1 to 8 ha, and one per house over 8 ha. Each is at most 140 m² (net), has its own outside door, stays on the same title (no strata), has drinking water, and can't be a bed and breakfast or, unless the bylaw allows it, a vacation rental. On septic it needs a backup field area, protected by covenant on lots under 1 ha. Not allowed where a site-specific rule already permits more than one dwelling.

Home business (s. 3.17): one per lot, up to 150 m² on lots up to 0.4 ha, 200 m² up to 2 ha, 250 m² up to 8 ha and 300 m² above; two non-resident employees on lots up to 2 ha, three on lots over 2 and under 8 ha, four over 8 ha (the bylaw doesn't say for exactly 8 ha). Work and storage stay indoors or behind a 1.8 m screen.

Vacation rental isn't a listed use in this zone: ask the CSRD before renting short term.

Floodplain (ss. 3.11 to 3.13): buildings stay 15 m back from any watercourse, and floors used for living or for goods floodwater could damage sit at least 1.5 m above its natural boundary. Docks, accessory buildings with no living space, garages and some small additions are exempt from parts of this.

The CSRD can issue a temporary use permit to build or occupy a second dwelling for a time, or for seasonal RV use (s. 3.1(g)).

Farm buildings, structures and confined livestock: 15 m from rear and interior side lines, 30 m from front and road-side lines, and 30 m from any dwelling, watercourse or domestic water intake (s. 3.19).

Site-specific exceptions listed in the bylaw by legal description can add or change uses for one property, and development permit areas, the ALR and building rules apply on top. Confirm with the CSRD's planning department before you buy or build.

Source: Ranchero / Deep Creek Zoning Bylaw No. 751 (summarised in our words); zone map: Open Government Licence – Columbia Shuswap Regional District.