Agricultural vs Commercial Steel Buildings.

A steel farm building and a steel commercial building can look almost identical from the road. Under the building code, they're very different. Understanding the difference matters if you're planning an agri-business, buying a property with an existing building, or thinking about converting a farm building to commercial use.

Code classification

In Canada, many farm buildings with low human occupancy are designed under farm building provisions (in Ontario, the Ontario Building Code's farm building requirements, which reference the National Farm Building Code concepts). These recognize that few people are inside the building, so some requirements are adjusted. Commercial and industrial buildings are designed under the full code requirements for their occupancy.

Key differences

• Structural loads: some farm buildings may be designed with reduced load factors because of low occupancy. Commercial buildings use full code loads.
• Fire safety: commercial buildings face stricter rules for fire separations, sprinklers, exits and spatial separation from property lines.
• Accessibility: commercial buildings open to employees or the public need barrier-free access, washrooms and parking.
• Energy code: heated commercial buildings must meet energy efficiency requirements.
• Zoning and site plan: commercial uses on agricultural land face zoning restrictions and often need site plan approval.
• Cost: commercial buildings generally cost more because of these added requirements.

Can an agricultural building be used for commercial purposes?

Not without approvals. Changing a farm building to a commercial use (a farm store, event venue, equipment dealership or workshop open to customers) is a change of use. In Ontario that generally needs a building permit and must comply with zoning. It may require:

• An engineer's review of the structure against full code loads, possibly with reinforcement
• Upgrades to fire separations, exits and possibly sprinklers
• Barrier-free access and washrooms
• Insulation and energy upgrades if heated
• A zoning amendment or minor variance

If there's any chance a building will be used commercially in future, it's usually far cheaper to design it to commercial standards from the start.

On-farm diversified uses in Ontario

Ontario municipalities increasingly allow "on-farm diversified uses" such as farm markets, processing and agri-tourism, within limits set in the local official plan and zoning. Check with your municipality before designing.

Agricultural and commercial: we build both

Meta Steel Buildings designs agricultural and commercial steel buildings to the right code for their use, and can engineer a farm building to commercial standards if you plan to diversify. Talk to us about your project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between agricultural and commercial steel buildings in Canada?

Low-occupancy farm buildings can be designed under farm building provisions with some adjusted requirements, while commercial buildings must meet full code requirements for loads, fire safety, accessibility and energy efficiency.

Can an agricultural steel building be used for commercial purposes in Ontario?

Only with approvals. It is a change of use that generally needs a building permit, zoning compliance and often structural, fire-safety and accessibility upgrades.

Should I build my farm building to commercial standards?

If there is any chance of future commercial use, designing to commercial standards from the start is usually much cheaper than upgrading later.