Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Construct or Renovate Farm Structures

Plan to construct or renovate a barn, manure storage or shed on your farm? If so, this is a good place to start. Make an appointment with your building department to discuss your plans. Be sure to allow for adequate time to obtain all necessary approvals, including the issuance of a building permit before scheduling construction. Professional Engineering Services for design and general review of specific projects may be required for Nutrient Management Strategies.

To help you determine what you need to consider prior to building or renovating your farm structure, please review each type of Farm Structure below and click on the links that apply to your project.

1. Livestock Facility (Housing) including Feed Storage/Milkhouse if attached to barn

You will need to consider the following before you can build or renovate:

• Municipal Requirements
  • Zoning
  • Minimum Distance Separation II
  • Building Permit including Professional Engineering Services
• OMAFRA Requirements
  • Nutrient Management Strategy
• Professional Engineering Services
• Transfer System
• Other Requirements
  • Conservation Authority

Click here to find out more about Building or Renovating a Livestock Facility (Housing) including Feed Storage/Milkhouse if attached to barn.

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2. Livestock Facility (Housing) containing Manure Storage

You will need to consider the following before you can build or renovate:

• Municipal Requirements
  • Zoning
  • Minimum Distance Separation II
  • Building Permit including Professional Engineering Services
• OMAFRA Requirements
  • Nutrient Management Strategy
• Professional Engineering Services
• Transfer System
• Site Characterization Study
• Other Requirements
  • Conservation Authority

Click here to find out more about Building or Renovating a Livestock Facility (Housing) containing Manure Storage.

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3. Concrete/Steel Manure Storage

You will need to consider the following before you can build or renovate:

• Municipal Requirements
  • Zoning
  • Minimum Distance Separation II
  • Building Permit including Professional Engineering Services
• OMAFRA Requirements
  • Nutrient Management Strategy
• Professional Engineering Services
• Transfer System
• Site Characterization Study
• Other Requirements
  • Conservation Authority

Click here to find out more about Building or Renovating a Concrete/Steel Manure Storage.

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4. Earthen Manure Storage

You will need to consider the following before you can build or renovate:

• Municipal Requirements
  • Zoning
  • Minimum Distance Separation II
• OMAFRA Requirements
  • Nutrient Management Strategy
• Site Characterization Study
• Professional Engineering Services
• Transfer System
• Other Requirements
  • Conservation Authority

Click here to find out more about Building or Renovating an Earthen Manure Storage.

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5. Anaerobic Digestion Facility

You will need to consider the following before you can build or renovate:

• Municipal Requirements
  • Zoning
  • Minimum Distance Separation II (that use manure as an input with an approved Nutrient Management Strategy)
  • Building Permit including Professional Engineering Services
• OMAFRA/MOE Requirement
• Nutrient Management Strategy is required if the facility meets the definition of a Mixed Anaerobic Digestion Facility or a Renewable Energy Approval is required if AD facilities treat off-farm materials exceeding 25 percent, by volume, of all materials treated, or is accepting more than 200m3 of materials per day or 10,000m3 per year
  • Professional Engineering Services
• Other Requirements
  • Conservation Authority

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6. Implement Shed

You will need to consider the following before you can build or renovate:

• Municipal Requirements
  • Zoning
  • Building Permit including Professional Engineering Services

Click here to find out more about Building or Renovating an Implement Shed.

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7. Feed Storage if not attached to Livestock Facility (Housing)

You will need to consider the following before you can build or renovate:

• Municipal Requirements
  • Zoning
  • Building Permit including Professional Engineering Services

Click here to find out more about Building or Renovating a Feed Storage if not attached to Livestock Facility (Housing).