Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy Rural Property
Buying an acreage near Calgary or anywhere in Alberta? Before you sign on the dotted line, you need to understand zoning—because it controls what you can (and can’t) do on your land. Making assumptions about zoning is one of the biggest—and costliest—mistakes acreage buyers make.
🏠What is Zoning?
Zoning is how municipalities regulate land use. It determines if your property is residential, agricultural, commercial, or another category, and it sets rules about what activities and structures are allowed.
🏡 Residential vs Agricultural Zoning
✔️ Residential zoning often has stricter limits on animals, outbuildings, and home businesses.
✔️ Agricultural zoning usually allows for more animals, larger shops, and sometimes flexibility for certain commercial uses like horse boarding or small farms.
⚠️ Common Restrictions to Watch For
Even in agricultural zones, you might face:
✔️ Limits on the number or type of animals (horses, goats, chickens)
✔️ Restrictions on shop sizes, secondary suites, or guest houses
✔️ Rules on whether you can subdivide or add a second dwelling
✔️ Requirements for setbacks from property lines, roads, or water bodies
🗺️ Check the Zoning Before You Buy
Zoning can vary even within the same rural community or county. Always:
âś… Contact the county or municipal office for the most up-to-date zoning details
âś… Ask about permitted uses, discretionary uses, and recent bylaw changes
✅ Confirm whether past uses on the property align with current zoning—grandfathered uses don’t always transfer to new owners
🏡 Why Zoning Matters
Misunderstanding zoning can leave you with property you can’t use the way you planned—or cost you thousands in bylaw fines, rezoning applications, or changes you didn’t budget for.
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