Rural Areas

Generally the same legal tools are available to protect rural land and urban land in British Columbia. However, there are some instances where the application of laws tends to be different in rural areas.  In particular:

 

·          Local governments in rural areas may have fewer powers, and use them less.  Regional districts cover the entire province, including some more developed areas that are incorporated as municipalities.  While regional districts have all the powers of municipalities to regulate land use and development within areas that are not incorporated as municipalities, there are certain bylaw making powers that regional districts do not usually have.  For instance, regional districts generally do not have the same powers as municipalities to protect trees or pass stream protection bylaws.  Also, regional districts often choose not to regulate.  For instance, some rural areas of the province have no zoning bylaws in place.  See Local Government Act and Local Government Planning

·          The province, not local government approves subdivisions.  In municipalities, all subdivisions are approved by a municipal official who is designated as an approving officer.  In areas outside of municipalities, officials at the provincial Ministry of Transportation approve subdivisions unless this power has been delegated to a regional district official.  See Land Title Act.

·          The province plays a major role in regulating use of public land. The province regulates public land use whether it is urban or rural, but since much of rural BC is publicly owned, the Province plays a larger role in regulating what activities can and cannot occur on rural land.  See Land Act

·          Special legislative protection applies to many rural land uses. See Agricultural Land and Forested Land and Old Growth

 

 Related Guide Pages:

·          Agricultural Land

·          Forested Land and Old Growth

·          Local Government Planning

·          Local Government Act