Minimum Distance Separation

Learn about what the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) formulae and guidelines are and what you need to know to complete a calculation for an MDS setback.

What is a Minimum Distance Separation (MDS)?

Ontario's rural and prime agricultural areas, the Provincial Policy Statement, 2024, and other provincial land use plans require that new land uses, including the creation of lots and new or expanding livestock facilities, comply with the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) formulae and guidelines.

The MDS formulae and guidelines are land use planning tools that determine setback distances between livestock barns, manure storages or anaerobic digesters and surrounding land uses, with the objective of minimizing land use conflicts and nuisance complaints related to odour. Demonstrating that an MDS setback can be met may be required before a land use planning approval or building permit can be issued.

MDS is comprised of two separate, but related, formulae that act reciprocally to help site either new development or new/expanding livestock facilities:

• MDS I setbacks are determined between proposed new development and existing livestock barns, manure storages and/or anaerobic digesters.
• MDS II setbacks are determined between proposed new or altered livestock facilities and/or anaerobic digesters and existing or approved development, lot lines and road allowances.

Type A Land Uses include:

• Industrial
• Agricultural-related
• Recreational–low intensity
• Residential dwelling on an existing lot
• Creation of up to three lots

Type B Land Uses include:

• Residential subdivisions
• Multiple residential
• Rural residential cluster
• Institutional
• Recreational–high intensity
  Commercial
• Expansion of a settlement area
  

The MDS Document

The MDS formulae, definitions, factors, implementation guidelines, calculation forms, explanatory schematics and additional training information are contained in Publication 853, "The Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Document: Formulae and Guidelines for Livestock Facility and Anaerobic Digester Odour Setbacks." This document came into effect on March 1, 2017, and replaces all prior versions of the MDS formulae and guidelines.

AgriSuite software

The province has developed AgriSuite software, which contains digital tools that allow users to quickly calculate MDS setbacks between proposed:

• new development and existing livestock barns, manure storages and/or anaerobic digesters (MDS I)
• new or altered livestock facilities and/or anaerobic digesters and existing or approved development, lot lines and road allowances (MDS II)

Calculated setback distances vary according to five factors and, depending on the type of calculation being done (MDS I or MDS II), users will need to input information into AgriSuite, such as:

• the type of livestock housed
• the potential number of livestock housed
• the percentage increase in the size of the operation
• the type of manure system and storage
• the type of encroaching land use
• the size of the lot on which the livestock facility is located, etc.

This information is used to populate the various factors in the corresponding MDS formula. More details, including suggested sources to obtain this information, are referenced in the MDS Document, Publication 853. It is recommended that users consult this document when utilizing the MDS tools in AgriSuite. Visit the AgriSuite web page to access the MDS digital tools.

For more information

The Municipality of Clarington is responsible for ensuring that MDS setbacks are met when reviewing land use planning applications (for example, lot creation applications) or building permits.

Contact planning@clarington.net or 905-623-3379 ext. 2401 for questions regarding the implementation of the MDS if you are proposing to construct a new livestock facility, anaerobic digester or other building, or you are pursuing a land use planning application, such as an official plan amendment, zoning by-law amendment, or an application to create a new lot.