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Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve

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Consultation has concluded

The Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve Project is now complete and this page will be archived. Amendment Bylaws 500.413 and 1285.29 were adopted at the May 22, 2018 Regional District of Nanaimo Board Meeting. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this project a success!

Recent changes made by the Ministry of Agriculture have authorized a limited number of secondary on-farm commercial activities (weddings, concerts and other non-agricultural related commercial activities) to take place on properties in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) classified as a farm under the Assessment Act if certain conditions as set out in the new regulations are satisfied.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is seeking your help in considering the need for additional regulations to mitigate impacts to neighbouring properties while still providing opportunities for farmers to subsidize their on-farm income, preserve agricultural land and promote health and safety at these events.

Stay tuned to this space for opportunities to learn more about gathering for events in the ALR, participate in surveys and be involved in other interactive engagement events by joining the conversation on how to plan for these changes in our region.

Join us in considering the need for a balanced regulatory approach.

Residents, businesses, farmers and anyone interested in agriculture are invited to find out what the RDN has proposed so far for gathering for events in the ALR. Plus, learn more, offer input and participate in the process by providing direction and insight to help guide RDN staff in formulating an approach to address these changes in our Region.

How you can be involved, find out more or provide feedback.

Please register (tab at the top right of this page). By registering you will be kept up-to-date with progress on the proposed zoning amendments for gathering for events in the ALR through our electronic communications.

  • Please read the background information and the reports in the document library prepared as part of this ongoing project.
  • Fill out the survey below. *Survey is now closed, thank you to everyone who participated.
  • Ask us a question in the Q & A section below and we will respond.
  • Answer quick polls when they are posted.
  • Provide your comments.
  • Attend the Public Hearings on April 16 @ 6 PM in the RDN Board Chambers at 6300 Hammond Bay Rd.


The Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve Project is now complete and this page will be archived. Amendment Bylaws 500.413 and 1285.29 were adopted at the May 22, 2018 Regional District of Nanaimo Board Meeting. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this project a success!

Recent changes made by the Ministry of Agriculture have authorized a limited number of secondary on-farm commercial activities (weddings, concerts and other non-agricultural related commercial activities) to take place on properties in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) classified as a farm under the Assessment Act if certain conditions as set out in the new regulations are satisfied.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is seeking your help in considering the need for additional regulations to mitigate impacts to neighbouring properties while still providing opportunities for farmers to subsidize their on-farm income, preserve agricultural land and promote health and safety at these events.

Stay tuned to this space for opportunities to learn more about gathering for events in the ALR, participate in surveys and be involved in other interactive engagement events by joining the conversation on how to plan for these changes in our region.

Join us in considering the need for a balanced regulatory approach.

Residents, businesses, farmers and anyone interested in agriculture are invited to find out what the RDN has proposed so far for gathering for events in the ALR. Plus, learn more, offer input and participate in the process by providing direction and insight to help guide RDN staff in formulating an approach to address these changes in our Region.

How you can be involved, find out more or provide feedback.

Please register (tab at the top right of this page). By registering you will be kept up-to-date with progress on the proposed zoning amendments for gathering for events in the ALR through our electronic communications.

  • Please read the background information and the reports in the document library prepared as part of this ongoing project.
  • Fill out the survey below. *Survey is now closed, thank you to everyone who participated.
  • Ask us a question in the Q & A section below and we will respond.
  • Answer quick polls when they are posted.
  • Provide your comments.
  • Attend the Public Hearings on April 16 @ 6 PM in the RDN Board Chambers at 6300 Hammond Bay Rd.


Consultation has concluded

  • RDN How We Got Here

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    April 24, 2018

    Regional District Board Resolutions

    The Board at its meeting of April 24, 2018 passed the following resolutions:

    I) That the Board receive the report of the public hearing held on April 16, 2018 for “Regional District of Nanaimo Land Use and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 500.413, 2018” and “Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area ‘F’ Zoning and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 1285.29, 2018".

    Carried Unanimously

    II) That the Board give third reading to “Regional District of Nanaimo Land Use and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 500.413, 2018”.

    Carried Unanimously

    III) That the Board give third reading to “Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area ‘F’ Zoning and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 1285.29, 2018”.

    Carried Unanimously


    March 27, 2018

    Regional District Board Resolutions

    The Board at its meeting of March 27, 2018 passed the following resolutions:

    I) It was moved and seconded that the Board receive the Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve - Proposed Zoning Amendments to Bylaw 500 and Bylaw 1285 report for information.

    Carried Unanimously

    II) It was moved and seconded that "Regional District of Nanaimo Land Use and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 500.413, 2018", be introduced and read two times.

    Carried Unanimously

    III) It was moved and seconded that "Regional District of Nanaimo Land Use and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 500.413, 2018", be chaired by Chair Veenhof or his alternate.

    Carried Unanimously

    IV) It was moved and seconded that "Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area 'F' Zoning and Subdivision Amendments Bylaw No. 1285.29, 2018" be introduced and read two times.

    Carried Unanimously

    V) It was moved and seconded that "Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area 'F' Zoning and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 1285.29, 2018" be chaired by Director Fell or his alternate.

    Carried Unanimously

    VI) It was moved and seconded that the use of a permitting system for gathering for an event in the Agricultural Land reserve be investigated.

    Carried Unanimously


    February 16, 2018

    Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee

    Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee to review public engagement feedback and provide further input on proposed bylaw amendments and other approaches to address gathering for an event in the ALR.

    January 25, 2018

    Meeting Between the Nanaimo-Cedar Farmers' Institute and RDN Staff

    A meeting is taking place between members of the Nanaimo-Cedar Farmers' Institute and other interested members of the community and RDN Staff to discuss gathering for events in the ALR. Contact Nick Redpath at nredpath@rdn.bc.ca for further information.

    January 24, 2018

    Meeting Between the Coombs Farmers' Institute and RDN Staff

    A meeting is taking place between members of the Coombs Farmers' Institute and RDN Staff to discuss gathering for events in the ALR. Contact Nick Redpath at nredpath@rdn.bc.ca for further information.

    December 12, 2017

    Regional District Board Resolutions

    The Board at its meeting of December 12, 2017 passed the following resolutions:

    i) That the Board receive the Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve – Proposed Zoning Amendments report for information.

    ii) That the Board direct staff to refer proposed amendments to “Regional District of Nanaimo Land Use and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 500, 1987” and “Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area ‘F’ Zoning and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 1285, 2002” to the Agricultural Advisory Committee and farming community for comment.

    iii) That the Board direct staff to develop an information brochure for “Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve”.

    November 28, 2017

    Meeting of the Electoral Area Services Committee

    Meeting of the Electoral Area Services Committee to review a report from staff and proposed zoning amendments to address and regulate the recently approved ALR regulatory changes for gathering for an event.

    November 25, 2016

    Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee

    Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee to review a report from staff: Response to changes in the Agricultural Land Reserve Use, Subdivision and Procedure Regulation - Gathering for Events

    October 4, 2016

    Regional District Board resolutions as recommended by the Agricultural Advisory Committee

    The Board at its meeting of October 4, 2016 passed the following resolutions as recommended by the AAC:

    i) That the AAC forward a recommendation to the RDN Board requesting that the Board consider amendments to zoning Bylaws 500 and 1285 to address recent amendments to the ALR Regulations (B.C. Reg. 210/2016).

    ii) That the AAC recommends the Board refer the matter of zoning bylaw amendments to address recent changes to the ALR Regulations (B.C. Regulations 210/2016) to the AAC for recommendations to the Board.

    August 9, 2016

    Ministry of Agriculture Release Legislative Changes

    On August 9, 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that they had developed a regulation that establishes that landowners in the Agricultural Land Reserve will not need approval from the Agricultural Land Commission to host specific activities like commercial weddings, concerts or non agriculture related commercial activities where they satisfy certain conditions as set out in the new Regulation.

  • Regional District Board Resolutions

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    March 27, 2018

    The Board at its meeting of March 27, 2018 passed the following resolutions:

    I) It was moved and seconded that the Board receive the Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve - Proposed Zoning Amendments to Bylaw 500 and Bylaw 1285 report for information

    Carried Unanimously

    II) It was moved and seconded that "Regional District of Nanaimo Land Use and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 500.413, 2018", be introduced and read two times.

    Carried Unanimously

    III) It was moved and seconded that "Regional District of Nanaimo Land Use and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 500.413, 2018", be chaired by Chair Veenhof or his alternate.

    Carried Unanimously

    IV) It was moved and seconded that "Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area 'F' Zoning and Subdivision Amendments Bylaw No. 1285.29, 2018" be introduced and read two times.

    Carried Unanimously

    V) It was moved and seconded that "Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area 'F' Zoning and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 1285.29, 2018" be chaired by Director Fell or his alternate

    Carried Unanimously

    VI) It was moved and seconded that the use of a permitting system for gathering for an event in the Agricultural Land reserve be investigated.

    Carried Unanimously


  • Ministry of Agriculture Release Legislative Changes

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    On August 9, 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the development of new legislation estalbishing that landowners in the Agricultural Land Reserve will not need approval from the Agricultural Land Commission to host specific activities like commercial weddings, concerts or non agriculture related commercial activities where they satisfy certain conditions as set out in the new Regulation.

  • Regional District Board Resolutions

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    The Board at its meeting of October 4, 2016 passed the following resolutions as recommended by the AAC:

    i) That the AAC forward a recommendation to the RDN Board requesting that the Board consider amendments to zoning Bylaws 500 and 1285 to address recent amendments to the ALR Regulations (B.C. Reg. 210/2016).

    ii) That the AAC recommends the Board refer the matter of zoning bylaw amendments to address recent changes to the ALR Regulations (B.C. Regulations 210/2016) to the AAC for recommendations to the Board.


  • Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee

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    Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee to review a report from staff: Response to changes in the Agricultural Land Reserve Use, Subdivision and Procedure Regulation - Gathering for Events.

  • Regional District Board Resolutions

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    The Board at its meeting of December 12, 2017 passed the following resolutions:

    i) That the Board receive the Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve – Proposed Zoning Amendments report for information.

    ii) That the Board direct staff to refer proposed amendments to “Regional District of Nanaimo Land Use and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 500, 1987” and “Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area ‘F’ Zoning and Subdivision Amendment Bylaw No. 1285, 2002” to the Agricultural Advisory Committee and farming community for comment.

    iii) That the Board direct staff to develop an information brochure for “Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve”.


  • RDN to amend bylaws of events gathering on ALR

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    "The Regional District of Nanaimo wants to make its bylaws on event gatherings on Agricultural Land Reserve lands to be consistent with recent amendments to the ALR’s Use, Subdivision and Procedure Regulations".


    https://www.pqbnews.com/news/rdn-to-amend-bylaws-of-events-gathering-on-alr/