Private Landowners Lose Ability To Apply For ALR Exclusion

On September 30, 2020 important changes to the Agricultural Land Commission Act, [SBC 2002] Chapter 36 and the associated regulations came into force that may significantly affect the prospects for removal of private land from the Agricultural Land Reserve ("ALR"). These changes are of particular note to private owners of ALR lands slated for future development. The Province has characterized the changes as part of a larger response intended to curtail non-agricultural use of ALR land such as construction of mansions and dumping of illegal fill.

Before September 30, 2020, a private land owner could apply directly to the Agricultural Land Commission ("Commission") for removal of land from the ALR without the need to make the application through a local government. A local government could apply to the Commission for removal of private land in its jurisdiction from the ALR provided the Commission obtained the private land owner's consent. As of September 30, 2020,