Community gardens shall be allowed in all zoning districts except Airport (AP-1) and Airport Related (AP-2) and shall comply with the development standards of the zoning district, the general development standards, and this section. If a provision of this section conflicts with another provision of this Code, the more restrictive shall apply.
(A) Sustainable garden practices including water conservation, composting and non-polluting, integrated pest and pathogen management practices are strongly encouraged.
(B) Hours of activity. No gardening activities may take place before sunrise or after sunset.
(C) Property maintenance. The property owner shall be responsible for maintaining the property in an orderly and neat condition in accordance with property maintenance standards in this Code. Plots may not be consistently weedy, untended or filled with debris. No trash or debris shall be stored or allowed to remain on the property. Tools and supplies shall be stored indoors or removed from the property daily. Vegetative material (e.g., compost), soil for garden use and other bulk supplies shall be stored to the rear or center of the property and shall not create a visual blight or offensive odors. The community garden shall be designed, managed and maintained to prevent any chemical pesticide, fertilizer or other garden waste from draining off of the property.
(D) Chemical use and storage. Organic gardening is strongly encouraged. Fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide or agricultural chemical use must be consistent with label instructions and must be in compliance with applicable ordinances and laws. Pesticides and fertilizers may only be stored on the property in a locked structure and must comply with all applicable requirements for hazardous material use and handling.
(E) Sale of surplus produce and plants. Community gardens are not intended to be commercial enterprises; however, there may be occasions of surplus. Produce and plants grown in community garden shall not be sold wholesale nor offered for sale on the premises except at garage sales as permitted under § 7.09.14 of the Code.
(F) Permitted structures. Only the following structures will be permitted in a community garden:
(1) Greenhouses, hoophouses, storage sheds, shade pavilions, and planting preparation houses.
(2) Fences. Fencing will be subject to the regulations in Part 7.07.00 Fences, walls and hedges.
(3) Compost bins and rain barrel systems must set back from property lines consistent with the minimum principal building setback of the underlying zoning district.
(G) Parking. Off-street parking is allowed in designated areas consistent with zoning district standards.
(H) Screening. Community gardening activities located within ten feet of a residential structure may require screening as determined by the Planning Director.
(I) Restoration. If operation of a community garden has been discontinued for six months or more, the property owner must level and clean the property, including removal of plant materials, planting structures and materials, and debris.
(J) Application. An application for administrative approval must be submitted to the Planning Department along with the following documentation:
(1) Notarized letter signed by the property owner giving permission for use of property.
(2) A site plan (may be hand-drawn), generally drawn to scale, showing the property size with dimensions, location of all existing structures on the property, easements or land reservations within the site, and any proposed fencing and screening.
(Ord. 1200-13, passed 4-8-2013)