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Minimum setbacks

Last updated on July 12, 2021

This page highlights requirements related to minimum setbacks under the Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM Code).

Setting back agricultural activities from drinking water sources, watercourses, and property boundaries creates buffers that protect water quality and neighbouring properties. The distance of a setback depends on agricultural activity.

Requirements 

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Agricultural composting processes

Composting structure:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 15 m
  • Property boundary: 4.5 m

Outdoor agricultural composting pile:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 30 m
  • Property boundary: 4.5 m
 

Applying nutrient sources to land

Other than wood residue or irrigation water:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m from a well or diversion point and 3 m in any other case
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 1.5 m if commercial fertilizer or sub-surface injection is used, and 3 m in any other case
  • Within and not on the property boundary
 

Disposing of mortalities or processing wastes 

In a composting structure:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 15 m
  • Property boundary: 4.5 m

Using an outdoor agricultural composting pile or burial pit:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 30 m
  • Property boundary: 4.5 m

Using an incinerator:

  • Drinking water source: 15 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 15 m
  • Property boundary: 7.5 m
 

Feeding locations

On-ground feeding locations or mobile feeding bins used in a seasonal feeding area:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 30 m
  • Property boundary: 4.5 m
 

Keeping or rearing livestock or poultry using a confined area

< 10 animal units in which animals are fed:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 5 m
  • Property boundary:1.5 m

≥ 10 animal units in which animals are fed:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 30 m
  • Property boundary:1.5 m

Any number of animals, none of which are fed:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 5 m
  • Property boundary: N/A

Note: One animal unit (AU) equals 455 kg; 10 AUs are equal to 4,550 kg of livestock or poultry or any combination of livestock and poultry that equals to 4,550 kg.

 

Storing manure, other agricultural by-products or nutrient sources

In a permanent storage structure, as on-ground under-pen storage or as temporary field storage of < 2 weeks:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 15 m
  • Property boundary: 4.5 m

As temporary field storage of ≥ 2 weeks:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 30 m
  • Property boundary: 4.5 m

Agricultural by-products include:

  • Manure
  • Soiled animal bedding
  • Dropped or spoiled feed or silage
  • Agricultural vegetative debris
  • A product of an agricultural composting process
  • Used mushroom-growing substrate
  • Used soilless media
 

Storing or applying wood residue

In a permanent structure, or as temporary field storage, or applying wood residue to land in a layer measuring 30 cm deep or more:

  • Drinking water source: 30 m
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 15 m
  • Within and not on the property boundary

Applying wood residue to land in a layer measuring less than 30 cm deep:

  • Drinking water source: 30m from a well or diversion point and 3m in any other case
  • Watercourse, other than a drinking water source: 3 m
  • Within and not on the property boundary 

 

Disclaimer: The information on this page is guidance only. Please refer to the Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management for specific regulatory requirements.

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Keep records of your agricultural activities for at least five years and provide them within five business days if required.

Contact information

Have any questions or want more information about the regulation? For further assistance, send us an email at AEMCoPenquiries@gov.bc.ca.