On-Farm Diversified and Agriculture-Related Uses

Agriculture-Related Uses are those farm-related commercial or farm-related industrial uses that are directly related to farm operations in the area, support agriculture, benefit from being in close proximity to farm operations, and provide direct products and/or services to farm operations.

A use may be permitted as an Agriculture-Related Use if it meets all the following criteria:

1. The use is a farm-related commercial or farm-related industrial use;
2. The use is directly related to farm operations in the area;
3. The use supports agriculture;
4. The use provides direct products and/or services to farm operations as a primary activity;
5. The use benefits from being in close proximity to farm operations; and
6. The use is compatible with, and does not hinder, surrounding agricultural operations.

Examples of Agriculture-Related Uses include but are not limited to:

• Apple storage servicing apple farm operations in the area;
• Processing of products grown in the area;
• Grain dryer for farm operations in the area;
• Flour mill for grain grown in the area; and,
• Livestock assembly yard or stock yard servicing farms operating in the area.

On-Farm Diversified Uses are defined as uses that are secondary to the principal established agricultural use of the property, are limited in area, and is operated by individual(s) with a Farm Business Registration Number that is applicable to the same property for which the on-farm diversified use is located. On-farm diversified uses include, but are not limited to, home occupations, home industries, agri-tourism uses, uses that produce value-added agricultural products, and electricity generation facilities and transmission systems, and energy storage systems.

A use may be permitted as an On-Farm Diversified Use if it meets all the following criteria:

1. The use is located on a parcel of land which contains an existing Farm Operation;
2. The use occupies no more than 2% of the total lot area of the farm parcel to a maximum of one (1) hectare.  For further clarity, the total lot area of a farm property includes environmental features and any hazard lands;
3. The use shall remain secondary to the principal agricultural uses of the property;
4. The use is compatible with, and will not hinder, impair or inconvenience surrounding agricultural operations;
5. The use shall be subject to the Minimum Distance Separation Formulae, where applicable;
6. The use can be appropriately accommodated on rural services and infrastructure; and
7. The use maintains the agricultural/rural character of the area.

Examples of On-Farm Diversified Uses include but are not limited to:

• Home Occupation: professional office, art studio, massage therapist
• Home Industry: woodworking shop, welding shop
• Value-Added Uses: winery, cidery, cheese factory, bakery
• Agri-Tourism Uses: hayrides, petting zoo, corn maze, on-farm accommodation
• Retail Uses: farm market, antique business, tack shop
• Cafe, Small Restaurant, Small Scale Event Venue