POLICY DATABASE
Policy Summary

Creates a program to support city supported community gardens on city owned or city controlled land. Only non-profits are eligible to operate the gardens, and must apply for a garden permit, and for a supplemental license if the garden is to be on city-owned land.

Background Information

State Texas
Jurisdiction Name Austin
Jurisdiction Type City,
Population Size 800,000+
Legal Strategies
  • Requires something, sets standards
Reach Limited scope
Only nonprofit organizations may apply, and creates a voluntary program.
Food System Category Grow; Get;
Evidence for Health

This policy may correspond to diet-related strategies identified by the County Health Rankings’ What Works for Health tool, including:

For research on the potential effectiveness, please review the category links above.

We understand that this information is not comprehensive. It also does not include other important forms of evidence such as community members’ lived experiences and practice-based evidence.

Policy Details

Refers to priority populations?
No

Health-related goal?
No

Environmental goal?
Yes

Requires that gardens be "operated in a manner that includes water conservation, and in the case of eligible city land includes composting, non-polluting, and integrated pest management practices that promote a sustainable garden, and is cultivated solely for the production of organic produce." Sec. 14-7-1 (1) (b).

Economic goal?
No

Includes findings?
No

Has a stated intent or purpose?
No

Includes definitions?
Yes

§ 14-7-1

Addresses implementation?
Yes

The director shall review an application, may approve or deny a garden permit, and shall issue a permit. § 14-7-12, Art. 3 and 4.

Enforcement provisions?
Yes

"If the director determines that a non-profit organization or a participating gardener has violated or failed to comply with the terms of a garden permit or license agreement issued under this chapter, the director may immediately halt all city-supported community garden activities under the garden permit and suspend or terminate the garden permit." § 14-7-34.

Evaluation component?
No

Requires extra investment?
No

Code context and ordinance history

Title 14-Use of Streets and Public Property, Chapter 14-7 Sustainable Urban Agriculture. History: Ord. 20110210-017; Ord. 20131121-020.

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