Understanding Setback Requirements
Ontario regulations require minimum distances (setbacks) between livestock barns, manure storage facilities, and sensitive features such as wells, watercourses, and property boundaries. These setbacks are in addition to MDS requirements and are designed to protect water quality and neighbouring properties.
Common Setback Requirements
Distance from municipal wells and private wells
Distance from watercourses, ditches, and drainage features
Distance from property lines
Distance from roads and road allowances
Distance from residential buildings (MDS II)
Distance from tile drainage inlets and outlets
Important
Setback distances vary depending on the type of facility, the type of well, and local municipal requirements. Always confirm specific setback requirements with a qualified professional before finalizing your site plan.
Manure Storage Setbacks
Manure storage facilities have their own set of setback requirements, which may differ from barn setbacks. Liquid manure storage (earthen or concrete) typically has more stringent setback requirements than solid manure storage.
Liquid manure storage requires greater distances from wells
Earthen manure storage has specific requirements for liner and monitoring
Temporary field storage has seasonal restrictions and setback requirements
All storage must meet O. Reg. 267/03 requirements
Run Your Setback & MDS Numbers
Can I Build a Barn Here?
Check whether a proposed barn location may be constrained by MDS, setbacks, or nearby land uses.
Use the Advanced Preliminary MDS Screening Tool
Estimate detailed MDS-related setback planning for livestock barns and manure storage.
Calculate Nutrient Units
Estimate livestock nutrient units to help determine whether NMS or NMP requirements may be triggered.
Barn and Manure Storage FAQs
How far does a barn need to be from a neighbour's house?
How far does manure storage need to be from a house?
Are barn setbacks and manure storage setbacks the same?
How far from a well should manure storage be?
Can GNF be applied to any field?
How far from surface water can I spread manure?
Do tile drains affect manure setbacks?
Does a municipal drain count as surface water?
Can I put manure storage beside the barn?
Can a conservation authority affect where I build barn?
Do road setbacks matter for barns?
Can setbacks change with manure type?