Buyeo County, South Korea – Buyeo County, led by Governor Park Jung-hyun, has announced the implementation of "Stay-Type Rest Areas" in accordance with the revised Enforcement Regulations of the Farmland Act. This initiative aims to attract more people to rural areas and boost the local economy by significantly improving the rural living environment.
What are Stay-Type Rest Areas?
Stay-Type Rest Areas are temporary accommodations, no larger than 33 square meters (about 10 pyeong), designed to support weekend and experiential farming for urban residents, as well as agricultural activities for farmers. These structures are permitted on farmland without requiring conversion of the land for other uses.
The rest areas can include ancillary facilities such as eaves (within 1 meter), decks (up to 1.5 times the area of the longest exterior wall), and parking spaces (open-air, within 13.5 square meters). Certain areas are not included in the total floor area calculation, making these rest areas more practical.
Who Can Install Them?
These rest areas are intended for farmers who will directly use them for agricultural work on their own farmland. They cannot be rented out to others or used as lodging for workers.
How to Apply
Preliminary Check: Inquire with the Agricultural Policy Team of the Agricultural Policy Division to determine if the site is eligible for a rest area.
Application Submission: Submit a "Report of Construction of Temporary Structure" along with required documents (site plan, floor plan, and land use consent form if the land is owned by someone else) to the Building Team of the Urban Architecture Division.
Issuance of Permit: If the application meets the criteria, a permit will be issued.
Separate applications are required for utilities such as electricity, water, and sewage treatment facilities, in accordance with relevant laws. If it is necessary to build an access road (from the road to the parking lot) by laying gravel or paving the farmland, a separate application for farmland conversion permit (consultation) must be submitted.
Registration and Important Notes
Within 60 days of installation, the person who installed the Stay-Type Rest Area must submit a "Report of Construction of Temporary Structure" and the "Status of Stay-Type Rest Area Installation" to the Township/Town Administrative Welfare Center (Agricultural Industry Support Team) for registration in the farmland register.
Important: Stay-Type Rest Areas are not intended for permanent residence. Registering a change of address to these facilities may be considered illegal conversion of farmland under the Farmland Act, and may result in administrative penalties.
Conversion of Existing Structures
Existing "illegal farm sheds" that meet the location and installation standards of the revised Stay-Type Rest Areas can be converted into rest areas until the end of 2027.
Expected Benefits
An official from Buyeo County stated, "With the introduction of the Stay-Type Rest Area system, we are able to provide opportunities to experience rural life. We expect this to contribute to increased rural population, as well as improve the convenience of agricultural management for farmers and increase farming efficiency."
This initiative is expected to bring significant positive changes to the rural landscape of Buyeo County, fostering a more vibrant and sustainable agricultural community.
[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]
