Agricultural-zone lot: financing options

The basic rule

In an agricultural zone, non-farm uses need authorization. It is obtained before the purchase.

What the lender asks

• The commission’s written decision, if any
• A description of the intended use
• Lot size and soil quality
• Farm income from the lot, if any

What the agricultural zone protects

The law protects arable land. It limits subdivision and non-farm uses.

Authorization is granted case by case, and takes months.

Uses generally allowed

• Farming itself
• The farmer’s residence, under conditions
• Farm and storage buildings
• Certain activities tied to production

Lenders to consider

Institutions specializing in farm lending understand these requests better.

The authorization timeline

A request to the commission takes months, sometimes over a year.

That delay belongs in your purchase offer as a condition.

Buying first and asking later exposes you to a refusal.

Before making an offer

Check with the municipality which use is already permitted.

An existing use often continues without a new application.

That check takes a day and saves months of process.