The zoning committee of Atlanta City Council recently introduced Z-14-05/14-02-05, an ordinance to amend the 1982 zoning ordinance of the city of Atlanta for the purpose of defining urban gardens and market gardens as a permitted use. This amendment has been developed over the last three years through a joint effort of Georgia Organics, the Atlanta Local Food Initiative, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, the Office of Planning, the Turner Environmental Law Clinic at Emory University, and local growers. The definitions of urban gardens and market gardens are as follows:
Urban Garden – a lot, or any portion thereof, managed and maintained by a person or group of persons, for growing and harvesting, farming, community gardening, or any other use, which contributes to the production of agricultural, floricultural, or horticultural products for beautification, education, recreation, community use, consumption, off-site sale, or off-site donation.
Market Garden – a lot, or any portion thereof, managed and maintained by a person or group of persons, for growing and harvesting, farming, community gardening, or any other use, which contributes to the production of agricultural, floricultural, or horticultural products for community supported agriculture or on-site sales.
A main function of this ordinance is to add urban gardens and market gardens as permitted uses of land in the city of Atlanta, such that urban farmers and gardeners will be able to obtain business licenses and enter into lease agreements. The amendment also details where and how these gardens are allowed to operate. The ordinance is currently making its way through the NPU approval process. For more information about the amendment and to submit a comment, please visit www.gogrowatlanta.com