VANCOUVER — British Columbia farmers will no longer need a permit from the Agricultural Land Commission to host agritourism events such as weddings and concerts on their farms, it was announced Tuesday.
The new rules, effective immediately, were implemented after ALC enforcement against weddings sent waves of concern through the farming community — which depends on such activities to top off farm incomes — and triggered a flurry of wedding cancellations.
But on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick in announcing the rules said the government is committed to helping farmers grow their businesses through both farming and agritourism.
“These regulations offer a needed balance while allowing B.C. farmers to supplement their incomes through secondary activities that support farming and agriculture on their land,” he said.
Under the new rules, farmers can host non-agriculture-related events without a permit if they follow regulations.
This includes a maximum 150 limit on the number of guests and no more than 10 events a year. Parking must be on the farm but cannot be permanent or interfere with the farm’s agricultural productivity. The farm must be classified as having farm status under the Assessment Act and no new, permanent structures can be built.
If any of those conditions are not met — if, for example, a farm wishes to hold a wedding with 200 guests or wants to play host to the 11th wedding on the farm in a calendar year — the farmer will need to apply to the ALC for a permit.
The restrictions do not apply to wineries, meaderies or cideries, which can continue operating without requiring an application.
Activities not requiring an application to the ALC include farm tours and farm demonstrations, hay, tractor and sleigh rides, corn mazes, pumpkin-patch tours and related activities, seasonal promotional events and special promotional events, Letnick’s statement said.
“We welcome these clear definitions as it allows the ALC to continue to preserve farm land, while ensuring property owners have the supplemental incomes needed to be financially viable,” ALC chairman Frank Leonard said in a statement.
