What can you sever in rural Southwestern Ontario?

A simple guide to the land severance (consent) process.

Southwestern Ontario is home to some of the richest agricultural land in the province. While soil classifications vary widely from municipality to municipality, the bulk of the soil in Southwestern Ontario falls into classes 1-3. These soil classes correspond to a nationwide classification system for agricultural productivity and are rated on a total possible score of 7, plus organic soils. In Ontario, provincial planning policies classify classes 1-3 soils as ‘Prime Agricultural’, and local Official Plans may use that exact language when referring to them, or call them agricultural.

As the province recognizes these soils as of the highest quality, there is a significant effort to ensure they are protected from development that could adversely affect their use for agricultural purposes. As such, potential severances are limited in these areas to three major categories:

1. Surplus Farm Dwellings

2. Agricultural Lot Creation

3. Agricultural-related Uses

Severances for these purposes are generally supported by both provincial and local policy; severances for purposes outside one of these three categories are unlikely, if not impossible, to secure approval for. Below is a detailed description of each type of severance, and what specific policy considerations to be aware of.

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