What is the Sacramento Urban Agriculture Ordinance?

Generally
On March 24, 2015 the City of Sacramento passed an ordinance that legalized urban
agriculture. The ordinance takes effect on April 24th, 2015 and before it goes into effect, we want
to make sure that residents of the City of Sacramento know what the new law allows. The
ordinance impacts the way the City of Sacramento gets its food in three ways.
Zoning
The proposal passed by City
Council uses a tiered approach to
allow small-scale urban agriculture
(under one acre) with little or no
permitting from planning agencies.
Lots over an acre would be required to
go through a permitting process. This
tiered approach reflects the direction
many cities (including San Francisco,
Seattle, Los Angeles, and Portland)
have taken.
By making urban agriculture
legal under the zoning code, urban
farmers may now sell the produce they
grow to restaurants, corner stores,
supermarkets, or at farmers markets Figure 1. Additional regulation apply for "urban ag stands"
without worrying about being fined for code violations. However, the zoning changes merely
make it legal to do so; markets and buyers may require insurance or additional guarantees
beyond the changes made by this law.1
On-Site Sales
The ability to sell is what separates agriculture from gardening. With that in mind, the
urban agriculture ordinance kept existing provisions governing the sale of produce through
community markets2 but introduces a new feature to the Sacramento food landscape: the
Urban Agriculture Stand. These stands would be allowed on every parcel3 where people grow
food and want to sell it.

For instance, many corporate buyers require farms carry general liability insurance in excess of $1,000,000, a
county food handler permit, or other indications of quality.
2
Community Markets still allowed under Sacramento City Code 17.228.124, more information available here:
http://www.qcode.us/codes/sacramento/
3
Excepting parcels zoned agriculturally, or in special designation railyard or redevelopment zones.

Prepared by Matt Read for the Sacramento Urban Agriculture Coalition,

matthewevanread@gmail.com

There are, of course, some restrictions on the stands. They may only sell produce that was
actually grown on the lot or cottage foods (think bread, jam) made on-site. Stands can only
operate from 8:00 a.m. to 7 p.m., must be
removed every night, and be smaller than
12x10. This means easy up tents like those
in Figure 1, are okay. The rules get a little more
complex on occupied residential lots. There,
stands can only operate on Tuesdays and
Saturdays, and food cannot be sold that was
grown in the front yard.4
Urban Agriculture Stands have already
proven to be a convenient place for community
food access in cities like Seattle, Portland,
Figure 2. Example of size limit for City urban agriculture
Cleveland, and Detroit. When the Sacramento stands. Photo Credit: City Slicker Farms, Oakland CA.
City Council passed the urban agriculture ordinance, council members and residents expressed
concern about the impact of these stands. Over the next 6 months, we want to know where
youve seen these stands popping up!
Tax Breaks for Vacant Parcels Housing Urban Agriculture
Historically, agricultural parcels have been taxed at a lower rate than other property.
Applying this concept to urban agriculture and as allowed by a new state law, the urban
agriculture ordinance took the first step in creating an incentive for owners of vacant urban
parcels to agree to commit their land to urban agriculture. While the proposal still needs approval
by the County to go into effect, any vacant parcel in the City of Sacramento would be eligible for
the program.5
Note on Animal Husbandry
All around Sacramento, residents want to raise animals to save money on groceries and
for their natural pest and waste reducing qualities. We remain committed to creating a food
system where responsible animal husbandry is a legal and productive component of urban
agriculture. However, the law passed by the City does not change any of the zoning code with
regard to animal-keeping. If you want a goat, write your councilmember!

All of the relevant urban agriculture stand regulations will be located at 17.228.810 Development standards. In
the zoning code.
5
The City of Sacramento would be only the second city in the state to adopt the Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone
program, authorized by AB 551. More details about the program can be found here:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/215972223/Sacramentans-for-Sustainable-Community-Agriculture-AB-551-Memo

Prepared by Matt Read for the Sacramento Urban Agriculture Coalition,

matthewevanread@gmail.com