Agriculture & Food Systems

Agriculture in the SLRD

Agriculture in the SLRD is regulated at the local, provincial and even federal levels.

Across the SLRD, the promotion of the local agricultural industry is supported through various high level policy documents and regional initiatives which acknowledge and address the importance of protecting agriculturally viable land, planning for local food security, and encouraging/facilitating local economic development opportunities. These high level policy documents and regional initiatives include: the SLRD Integrated Sustainability Plan (ISP), the SLRD Regional Growth Strategy (RGS), and the Electoral Area Official Community Plans (OCPs). Electoral Area Zoning Bylaws provide detailed land use regulations specific to agriculture zones. 

Agricultural Plans and Committees

The SLRD has also developed and adopted three Agricultural Plans to support focused planning and implementation. As cross-jurisdictional plans, they facilitate integrated and collaborative community approaches to agricultural planning. Agricultural Land Use Inventories and Studies are also available for Electoral Area D, Electoral Area C and Electoral Area B. 

Comments and recommendations on agricultural issues are provided to the SLRD Board by two Agricultural Advisory Committees.  

Agricultural Land Reserve

The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a provincial zone in which agriculture is recognized as a priority use. Farming is encouraged, and non-farm uses are regulated. In the SLRD, 25,410 hectares of land is located in the ALR. These lands are found within all four Electoral Areas (A, B, C, D), as well as the municipalities of the District of Squamish, Village of Pemberton, and District of Lillooet. 

Those looking to purchase land within the SLRD should be aware of land use regulations that apply to all lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve. This Agricultural Awareness Brochure provides an "at a glance" overview of applicable regulations and links to key information:

Additional Resources