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Clifton Agriculture (AG) Zone

The Agriculture (AG) Zone is a new zone. While being created as part of the planning solution in Clifton District, it is anticipated that over time, it will be used in other communities. The Zone is applied to active farmland and the associated farm compounds and buildings. It establishes separation distances or setbacks between farm buildings, farm fields and other land uses.

The setbacks were developed based on the standards found in the Manure Management Guidelines and are intended to both protect the home owner from agricultural activity while also protecting the farmers right to farm.

For example, the Manure Management Guidelines recommend that farms not apply manure to fields within 60 metres of an existing house or well. So the proposed Land Use Bylaw would establish the same separation distance for the siting of a new house. A new home and associated well should not be located within 60 m of an agricultural field. This setback would also apply to a new home being constructed on RG Zoned land that is adjacent to land zoned Agriculture.

The Agriculture Zone is more limited in its list of permitted uses with an emphasis on farm activity. Farmers are the best custodian of the land and are often best able to limit the amount of non-farm development in the community. The Farmers of Clifton have had a good track record for creating building lots and houses only when necessary. Therefore new building lots can be created in the Ag Zone and the new residential development will meet the same setback criteria as mentioned above.

  • This is a new zone created through the Clifton planning exercise.
  • Farm compounds and fields would be zoned AG.
  • Setbacks have been added to the RG zone to maintain the buffers that farmers are obligated to meet under the manure storage and handling guidelines of the Province. The buffers are outlined above.
  • The AG zone offers some leeway for the expansion of farm structures that do not meet the provincial setback guidelines. However this provision does not prevent the farmer from having to obtain other permits that might be required.
  • There is recognition that farm activities will change over time.
  • The AG zone permits the creation of new lots and the construction of new homes and home based businesses. Subdivisions that create new roads are not permitted in the AG zone. Non-farm businesses such as a car dealership would be directed to the RG Zone.
  • A new residential dwelling would have to meet the separation standards from agriculture fields and structures. These standards are 60m from the dwelling and well to the land zoned AG. The 300 m setback also applies as a separation distance from existing intensive agricultural activity.

Draft Text and Regulations