The City of Sacramento is conducting outreach that will inform amendments to the Sacramento City Code to allow urban agriculture on vacant lots in residential, commercial, industrial and manufacturing zones throughout the city.
The purpose of the ordinance is to:
- Increase economic opportunities through the cultivation and sale of locally grown foods.
- Reclaim vacant land by making it a community asset.
- Improve public health and well-being by improving access to a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
- Promote public awareness and appreciation for locally grown food
City planners want to hear your thoughts and ideas on how urban agriculture should be integrated into urban and suburban neighborhoods. Give your input via the survey.
What’s currently allowed?
Currently, the Sacramento City Code allows vegetable gardens in private residential yards and up to 3 hens per residential parcel. The City Code also allows community gardens on public and private land, and vegetables, herbs, or fruit trees as a secondary use.
What changes are proposed?
The City Code does not allow urban farming as a primary land use. This regulatory barrier discourages the use of vacant parcels by urban farmers for growing crops. The proposed ordinance would allow:
- Cultivation of crops as a primary land use on vacant parcels in residential, commercial, industrial and manufacturing zones throughout the city.
- On-site urban agricultural stands for the sale of crops grown on-site
- Built structures to support urban agriculture such as storage sheds, greenhouses and hoop-houses.
- (Phase 2): Designation of the City of Sacramento as an Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone (UAIZ). This would allow property owners to voluntarily enter into a contract with the City to reduce property taxes for on-site urban agriculture.
How can I be part of this process?
- Attend the Planning and Design Commission meeting on September 11. Meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at new City Hall, 915 I Street.
- Contact staff for questions or ideas. Contact Associate Planner Helen Selph at hselph@cityofsacramento.org or 916.808.7852.
- Visit the Urban Ag website to obtain up-to-date information and take the survey above.