Urban Agriculture Update — Project Archive

Accomplishments

For the complete history of this project, please contact us at 684-8880.

Project Outcomes

The Urban Agriculture Update modified the city's land use code to expand opporunities for urban agriculture:

• Allow "urban farms" and "community gardens" in all zones, with some limitations in industrial zones
• Allow residents to sell food grown on their property
• Formally recognize farmer's markets and allow them in more Seattle areas
• Allow dedicated food production on rooftop greenhouses with a 15-foot exemption to height limits in a variety of higher density zones
• Increase the number of chickens allowed per lot from three to eight, with additional chickens allowed for large lots associated with community gardens and urban farms, while prohibiting new roosters and setting boundaries for new chicken coops

Key Milestones

August 2010 — City Council adopted Council Bill 116907 to implement a variety of changes to support the local food movement. The new rules were effective June 1, 2011.

Project Purpose

This effort was part of the City's ongoing Food Action program, including the City of Seattle's 2010: Year of Urban Agriculture campaign.