POLICY DATABASE
Policy Summary

This code encourages the use of sustainable agricultural landscaping, including rooftop and edible gardens, for multi-family, commercial, and industrial develoments.

Background Information

State California
Jurisdiction Name Palo Alto
Jurisdiction Type City,
Population Size 50,000-200,000
Legal Strategies
  • Expressly allows something
Reach Community-wide
Food System Category Grow;
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?
Yes

This policy is located within the zoning code, which includes among its purposes to "promote and protect the public health." § 18.01.020.

Environmental goal?
Yes

"The purpose of the section is to encourage … sustainable landscape design" and can help provide "permeable surfaces for storm water management." § 18.40.130.

Economic goal?
Yes

See reference to sustainable landscape design "contribut[ing] to economic vitality" and "reduc[ing] the need for frequent infrastructure repair." § 18.40.130(a).

Includes findings?
No

Has a stated intent or purpose?
Yes

"The purpose of this section is to encourage creative and sustainable landscape design that enhances structures, open space areas, streetscapes and parking areas." § 18.40.130(a).

Includes definitions?
No

Addresses implementation?
No

Enforcement provisions?
No

Evaluation component?
No

Requires extra investment?
No

Code context and ordinance history

This policy is located in Palo Alto, California Code of Ordinances, Title 18 Zoning, Chapter 18.40 General Standards and Exceptions, Section 18.40.130 Landscaping. History: Ord. 4934 § 3 (part), 2007.

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