LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Lincoln-Lancaster Planning Commission will review proposed changes to municipal codes that could potentially strengthen the local food system and create entrepreneurial opportunities on April 16.
The Urban Garden Policy Proposal would make two major changes to two Lincoln municipal codes.
If approved, individual homeowners would be allowed to operate urban gardens as a primary use in residential districts and sell produce and plants onsite. Owners of group-managed urban gardens in residential districts would also be allowed to sell produce and plants onsite.
Currently, only groups of people may operate urban gardens as a primary use on a residential lot – and those group-managed gardens in residential districts are prohibited from selling produce and plants onsite.
The City of Lincoln provided a list of conditions individuals participating would have to follow. This includes a required soil test conducted by the Health Department, sale date limitations, signage requirements, and more.
The second change, if approved, would allow urban gardening to be included as a home occupation. Currently, only limited home-based commercial activities are allowed as home occupations.
Clarifications of conditions would include a required soil test conducted by the Health Department, optional screening of garden areas and removing the dwelling floor area limit.
“Homegrown gardens provide fresh, affordable food, support local growers, and strengthen community connections. The new Urban Gardens policy would make it easier for community members to grow food on their own property and even sell their produce in a limited, neighborhood-friendly way,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said.
90% of food purchased, consumed in Lincoln is imported
City of Lincoln Chief Sustainability Officer Kim Morrow said the proposed ordinance would help Lincoln meet the goals of its Local Food Plan, which include increasing access to healthy food, and investment in the city’s food and farm community to strengthen food production and security.
Local food advocate Tim Rinne said 90% of food purchased and consumed in Lincoln is imported, with some items like fresh produce traveling 1,500 miles.
Rinne said Lincoln residents require over 1.5 million pounds of food daily to meet their dietary needs, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“There’s a built-in market for growing some of our own food,” Rinne said. “Food production and consumption is really big business. Everybody eats and the City of Lincoln boasts 300,000 eaters who need regular meals.”
If the proposal is approved by the Planning Commission, a public hearing by the Lincoln City Council regarding the ordinance is scheduled for 3 p.m. on May 5.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2025 KOLN. All rights reserved.
发表回复