Agri-Tourism in the Agricultural Land Reserve

The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a provincial zone where use of land is prioritized for farming and the highest priority is any agricultural activity that takes place on the land. However, the Agricultural Land Reserve Use Regulation allows for agri-tourism activities to take place in the ALR if specific conditions are met. There is a growing demand for agri-tourism experiences, and providing these experiences in addition to the farm’s main agricultural activities can help producers be more resilient, stay strong financially, and help contribute to long-term food security in our province.

Local governments and B.C. farmers are encouraged to review the B.C. Government’s September 2024 Farm Tourism Guide (PDF, 371 KB) prepared by the Province and the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).

The intent of this document is to help provide greater clarity regarding farm tourism in B.C., particularly for farms in the ALR. Topics covered in this guide include:

• Agri-tourism activities;
• Retail sales;
• Gathering for an event;
• Agri-tourism accommodation and tourist accommodation;
• Important links to ALC policies and bulletins; and
• An agri-tourism readiness checklist.

For more information on Agri-tourism in the ALR refer to the Agricultural Land Commission’s Land Use Policy L-04 Agri-tourism Activities in the ALR (PDF, 63 KB).