Agricultural

Farm Houses and Additional Farm Houses

• Farm Houses

  See the ALC's Bulletin on Residences in the ALR for regulations effective as of December 31, 2021. The proposal must also comply with the regulations in Delta's Zoning Bylaw. Delta's building permit submission requirements are provided below:

  • Farm Houses
• Additional Farm Houses

  A proposal for a new or replacement additional farm house may require a Non-Adhering Residential Use Application to be submitted to the ALC in advance of building permit application. The proposal must also comply with the regulations in Delta's Zoning Bylaw.

  See the ALC's Bulletin on Residences in the ALR for regulations effective as of December 31, 2021. If a Non-Adhering Residential Use Application is required and approved by the ALC, the building permit requirements for an additional farm house are the same as for farm houses above.

• Complex and Non-Complex

  With regard to commercial, mixed-use and industrial uses, under Delta's Building/Plumbing Bylaw:

  • A "complex building" means all buildings defined as Part 3, 4, 5, and 6 in the BC Building Code.  
  • A "non complex" building means buildings of three storeys or less in building height, having a building area not exceeding 400 m² and used for major occupancies classified as residential 
    occupancies, business and personal services occupancies, mercantile occupancies, and medium or low hazard industrial occupancies.

  The above is provided for reference only, see Delta's Building/Plumbing Bylaw for more detailed and current information.

• Building Permit Requirements

  • New Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Multi Residential Buildings, and Additions
  • Building Envelope Repair
  • Interior Tenant Improvement
  • Pre-Fabricated Office Buildings
  • Tent Structures
  • Racking - Vertical Storage Systems
• Enhanced Building Permit Review Process

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  In addition to the required documents for all building permit applications, a building permit for a farm building also requires the following forms:

  • Provincial Soil/Fill Requirements - Projects in the ALR are subject to provincial restrictions on fill placement and soil removal. All proposed farm houses and farm buildings in the ALR requiring fill placement or soil removal in excess of 1,000 m² for construction of the building and associated infrastructure must have ALC approval prior to issuance of a building permit.
    
    For more information, review the Structures in the ALR document or contact the Agricultural Land Commission.
  • Farm Building Application Form - Only structures necessary for farm use are permitted on agricultural land. Fill out the form to demonstrate that the proposed building is required for the farm operation. Staff will review the completed form using the Necessary for Farm Use Criteria.

  The following criteria will be used by staff to determine if the proposed farm building is required for the existing farm operation by using physical characteristics such as location, size, and appearance as indicators of intended use. Additionally, the Necessary Use Criteria outline key considerations from the Zoning Bylaw or ALR Use Regulation that apply to a farm building proposal, based on its intended use: 

  • Zoning Bylaw/ALR Use Regulation:
    • Are the proposed uses consistent with the provisions in Delta’s Zoning Bylaw 
      and ALR Use Regulation?
    • Do the proposed uses include the storage, processing or preparing of 
      agricultural products that do not originate from that farm?
    • Do the proposed uses include retail sales?
  • Existing Structures:
    • Can the proposed uses be accommodated in an existing building?
  • Level of Farming:
    • Is the building size commensurate with the current level of farming?
    • Do the properties that compose the farm operation have farm status?
  • Interior/Exterior Design:
    • Does the building design align with proposed uses and needs of the existing 
      farm operation? Example design considerations:
      • Ceiling and door (egress) heights
      • Number of bathrooms, rooms, and storeys
      • Size and types of windows
  • Location:
    • Will the proposed location take land out of production or cut off active 
      farmland?
    • Does the location functionally support the farm activities in and around the building?

  If staff determine that the information provided in the building permit application 
  does not satisfy the Necessary for Farm Use Criteria, the applicant will be directed to 
  submit an ALC Notice of Intent (NOI) for a final farm use assessment or to amend the proposal. If the ALC approves the NOI, Delta staff will consider the building as 
  necessary for farm use and proceed with the building permit application.

• Development Cost Charges

  Payment of Development Cost Charges (DCCs) will be due at building permit issuance. Rates  established under the following bylaws will apply, including any applicable provisions for in-stream applications:

  • Delta DCC rates established under Delta's Development Cost Charges Bylaw.
  • Greater Vancouver Sewerage & Drainage District (GVS&DD) DCC rates under Metro Vancouver's bylaws. For more information, please visit Metro Vancouver's website.
  • TransLink Regional Transportation DCC rates established under the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority's bylaws. For more information, please visit Translink's website.