Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

Norfolk County is proud to be one of the most productive agricultural regions in the province. We value farmland protection and understand the importance of maintaining strong agricultural systems, viable farm operations, and food security for Ontario. At the same time, we are facing a significant and urgent housing need across our rural areas. Many properties that are not farmed, and in some cases not suitable for farming, remain under-utilized due to current planning restrictions. 

Where we're at

Rural Severances

Large Unfarmed or Unviable Agricultural Parcels Remain Locked from Use 

Across Norfolk County, a number of sizable rural properties are classified as agricultural but are not actively farmed, nor are they viable candidates for agricultural production due to soil limitations, lot configuration, access constraints, or other conditions. Under current provincial policies, these lands cannot be severed for residential purposes—even in cases where agricultural impact would be negligible. 

This results in under-utilization of rural lands that could contribute to the local housing supply.

Spot Zoning Attempts Have Been Rejected

Norfolk County previously explored spot zoning as a solution for these unique parcels. While this was recommended locally as a reasonable, case-by-case approach, it was appealed by the Province. The appeals indicated a need for a more systematic, rather than ad hoc, framework to review rural lands that may be suitable for limited residential severances. 

Our ask

Norfolk County respectfully requests partnership with the Ministry to establish a clear, transparent, and systematic approach to rural severances for unfarmed or agriculturally unviable parcels. 

Specifically, we are asking for the following: 

Support for a Structured Review Framework for Rural Parcels
We propose developing a standardized set of criteria, aligned with the Provincial Policy Statement, that would allow municipalities to identify and review rural lands that may be suitable for residential severances. Criteria could include:  

• Soil capability and agricultural viability 
• Proximity to active farms or livestock operations
• Surrounding land uses
• Potential for land-use conflict
• Environmental considerations

This would replace case-by-case spot zoning with a more predictable, transparent system.

Provincial Collaboration on Updating Severance Policies
We ask the Ministry to work with Norfolk County and similar rural municipalities to explore modernized severance permissions that balance:

• Farmland protection 
• Rural housing needs 
• Good land-use planning

This could include pilot programs or policy guidance tailored to areas with a high proportion of non-viable agricultural lands.