Examples of Agriculture and Food Production and Service Businesses include:
| Abattoir |
| The use of land or buildings a s facility for the slaughtering of animals and the processing of meat products. May be allowed in AG, RM-2, and RM-3 districts. |
| Agricultural Machinery/Equipment Sales and Service |
| The selling and service of agricultural machinery and equipment such as farm implements and supplies, and may include sales, repairs, storage, rentals, leasing, and service of such equipment, as well as offices, showrooms, and sales rooms. May be allowed in RM-1, RM-2, and RM-3 districts. |
| Agricultural Operations(s) |
| An agricultural activity conducted on agricultural land for gain or reward and may include but is not limited to the cultivation of land or the raising of livestock (but excluding Confined Feeding Operations). May be allowed in AG, UR, RU-M, and UR-R districts. |
| Agricultural Processing |
| A facility, employing 3 or more people where agricultural produce - meats, grains, legumes, poultry, swine, honey, etc. - is collected, sorted, washed, cleaned, slaughtered, dusted, waxed, cooked, cured, smoked, or otherwise prepared or processed into finished or semi-finished products. May be allowed in CM, RM, RM-1, RM-2, and RM-3 districts. |
| Agricultural Pursuit, Major |
| A use in association with a Country Residential district that consists of no more than 20 animal units and may be less than 20 animal units subject to the are of the lot where this use is proposed. May be allowed in the CR-5 district. |
| Agricultural Pursuit, Minor |
| A use in association with a Country Residential district that consists of no more than one horse and foal under 6 months of age per acre or part there of, to a maximum of three horses. May be allowed in AG, CR-2, CR-4, and CR-5 districts. |
| Agricultural Service and Supply Establishment |
| Premises used for the supply of goods, materials or services that support agricultural uses, including the sale and storage of seed, feed, fertilizer and chemical products and the rental, sale, repair or service of agricultural equipment or implements or any combination of the foregoing. May be allowed in CM, RM-1, RM-2, and RM-3 districts. |
| Agricultural Supply Depot |
| A facility that specializes in the bulk storage of agricultural products and farm supplies but does not include the sale or storage of solid and liquid fertilizers. May be allowed in RM-2 and RM-3 districts. |
| Apiary |
| A collection of beehives, which are permanent structures related to the raising and keeping of bees for recreational or commercial purposes. May be allowed in CR-5 and RE districts. |
| Bulk Sales Establishment |
| The use of land, structure, or building for the purposes of buying and selling lumber, wood, building materials, feed, seed, grain bins, fertilizer, beverages, ice, and allied commodities but does not include any manufacturing, assembling or processing. May be allowed in RM-1, RM-2, and RM-3 districts. |
| Commercial Fertilizer Supply |
| A facility that specializes in the bulk storage and sale of solid and liquid fertilizers and includes other agricultural chemicals. May be allowed in RM-2 and RM-3 districts. |
| Confined Feeding Operation |
| An activity on land that is fenced or enclosed or within buildings where livestock are confined for the purpose of growing, sustaining, finishing or breeding by means other than grazing, but does not include seasonal feeding and bedding sites. May be allowed in the CFO district. |
| Feed Mill |
| A building wherein farm commodities are brought, stored, sold, and also includes the drying, processing and elevation for storage of farm commodities such as grain. May be allowed in RM-2 and RM-3 districts. |
| Food Processing Plant |
| A use in which agricultural products are prepared, processed, preserved, graded or stored for eventual human consumption. May be allowed in RM-2 and RM-3 districts. |
| Greenhouse, Commercial |
| A building or structure used for the growing of flowers, fruits, vegetables, plants, shrubs, trees and similar vegetation. This use does not include "Cannabis Retail Sales" or "Cannabis Production and Distribution." May be allowed in RM-2 and CC districts. |
| Greenhouse, Farm |
| A building specially designed and used for the growing of vegetables, flowers, and other plants for transplanting outdoors on the same site containing such greenhouse. This use does not include "Cannabis Retail Sales" or "Cannabis Production and Distribution." May be allowed in AG district. |
| Market Garden |
| A parcel of land where plants, vegetables, flowers and similar materials excluding cannabis, are grown for sale. May be allowed in the AG district. |
| Nursery and Garden Store |
| The use of land, buildings or structures, or part of buildings or structures, where trees, shrubs or plants are grown or stored for the purpose of transplanting, for use as stock, for grafting, or for the purpose of retail or wholesale. This use does not include "Cannabis Retail Sales" or "Cannabis Production and Distribution." May be allowed in CBMJ, CC, CM, and RM-1 districts. |
| Sod Farm |
| The commercial growing of sod through seeding and stripping of topsoil to sell the final product. May be allowed in AG, UR, UR-M, and UR-R districts. |
For a full list and definitions of Agricultural and Food Production businesses, please refer to our Land Use Bylaw.
Zoning and Required Approvals
Zoning
Each land use is required to be in an appropriate land use district as listed above.
To determine the land use district of a property, refer to our Map. If your use is not listed on the land use district of a property, you may need to apply to rezone the property.
Approvals
Municipal Approvals
Development Permits are required for new and expanding Agriculture and Food Production and service business uses, including new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and a change in use or intensification of the use of the land or building.
A Building Permit is required for the construction of a building, including renovations, additions, or a change in occupancy. Certain farm buildings and nonhazardous accessory buildings smaller than 10 m2 may be exempt.
Applications can be made online using our Gateway portal.
Provincial Approvals
Certain developments may require provincial approvals or licensing in addition to your municipal permits. Examples where Provincial approvals may be required include:
- If a development is within 800 m of the centerline of a highway;
- If a development will impact a water body or if it diverts and uses surface or groundwater;
- If a development involves the handling of food for consumption, liquor, or cannabis.
Fees
Fees for municipal approvals are charged in accordance with our Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges.
For further information, please contact Planning and Development Services.
This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various municipal, provincial, and federal bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The County of Grande Prairie No. 1 accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically.