September 18, 2026 · ALR & Zoning
The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a provincial land-use zone meant to protect BC's limited supply of farmland. Land inside the ALR is subject to rules set by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) that apply in addition to — and sometimes override — local government zoning. For a buyer, the first question about any parcel is simply: is it in the ALR?
Inside the ALR, farm use is protected and encouraged — growing crops, raising livestock, and related farming activity are generally permitted. What is restricted is non-farm use: subdivision of the land, exclusion from the ALR, commercial fill, and many forms of residential, commercial or industrial development. A second residence, for example, often requires permission, and the rules around additional dwellings for farm help have changed in recent years.
Two things commonly surprise buyers. First, being in the ALR does not automatically mean the land can be farmed profitably — soil capability, water and access still matter. Second, a property can carry both ALR rules and local zoning, and the more restrictive of the two can govern. Always confirm the parcel's ALR status on the ALC portal and review the local government's zoning bylaw before relying on what a property 'can' be used for.
If you are considering land that may eventually leave the ALR, understand that exclusion applications are discretionary, take time, and are not guaranteed. Read our Understanding the ALR guide for a fuller explanation, and treat this as educational information rather than legal advice — ALR rules change and depend on the specific parcel.