Seattle City Council approved Council Bill 116907, which updates the City’s Land Use code, allowing “urban farms” and “community gardens” in all zones, with some limitations in industrial zones. Seattle residents now have more freedom when it comes to growing their own food or raising their own chickens.
Residents will now be able to sell food grown on their property and construct rooftop green houses (adding no more than 15 feet to building height limits)! “The code changes related to rooftop greenhouses are a bold step toward high-yield food production in an urban environment,” stated Branden Born, Associate Professor of Urban Design and Planning at University of Washington.
The legislation also increases 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. It prohibits new roosters and sets boundaries for chicken coops, ten feet away from primary residential structures. Existing chicken coops built prior to the code changes will remain legal.
“These code changes will strengthen our community food security,” said Council President Richard Conlin, sponsor of the ordinance. “This is one more action that supports the goals of the Local Food Action Initiative: increases opportunities for Seattle residents to purchase and grow healthy food in the city.”
The City Council home page has links or use this direct link to the press release.
(Thanks to Sustainable Ballard for sending first news of this around.)
