Article VIII — Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture in residential and nonresidential zones shall comply with the development standards in this section. A. Maintenance. Urban agriculture uses shall be maintained in an orderly manner, including litter removal, irrigation, weeding, pruning, pest control and removal of dead or diseased plant materials.

• B. Equipment.

1. Use of mechanized farm equipment is prohibited in residential districts.

2. Exceptions.

• a. Heavy equipment may be used initially to prepare the land for agriculture use.

• b. Landscaping equipment designed for household use is permitted.

• c. Equipment when not in use must be enclosed or otherwise screened from sight.

• C. Structures. Structures to support urban agriculture, such as storage sheds, hoop-houses, and greenhouses, are permitted, subject to the regulations of the underlying zone.

• D. Aquaculture operations.

1. Are allowed as an accessory use in residential and residential mixed use zones (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-2A,

R-2B, R-3, R-3A, R-4, R-4A, R-5, RMX, and RO). The operation shall be contained entirely within an enclosed structure that meets the requirements of chapter 17.624, or in a yard that is screened from view of adjacent streets by fencing or landscaping.

2. Aquaculture operations in nonresidential zones are allowed, subject to the regulations of the underlying zone. E. Urban agriculture stands.

3. Urban agriculture stands are permitted on the site of an urban agriculture use subject to the following regulations:

• a. Urban agriculture stands up to 120 square feet are allowed by right.

• b. Urban agriculture stands larger than 120 square feet shall be subject to the approval of a zoning administrator conditional use permit.

• c. Urban agriculture stands must be temporary, and must be dismantled and removed during non-operating hours.

• d. Product sales are limited to produce and value-added products grown and produced on-site.

e. Operating hours for an urban agriculture stand are limited to 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. In R-zones, operations shall be further limited to Tuesdays and Saturdays, and a private garden shall be prohibited in the front yard of a lot where an urban agriculture stand is operated. The limitation on the days of operation does not apply to vacant sites in R-zones.

2. Urban agriculture stands that sell only fresh produce and are located in residential zones are not home occupations under article II of chapter 17.228.

F. Urban agriculture activities shall include best practices to prevent pollutants from entering the stormwater conveyance system and shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, or regulations, including, but not limited to, the stormwater management and discharge control code in chapter 13.16 and the grading, erosion, and sediment control ordinance in chapter 15.88. (Ord. 2025-0007 § 27; Ord. 20160001 § 32; Ord. 2015-0005 § 43)

In addition to the standards in section 17.228.810, market gardens and private community gardens shall comply with the development standards in this section.

A. Garbage and compost. Garbage and compost receptacles must be screened from the street and adjacent properties by utilizing landscaping, fencing or storage within structures and all garbage shall be removed from the site weekly. Compost piles and containers must be set back at least 20 feet from residential buildings when an urban agriculture use abuts a residential land use.

B. Fencing not required. Notwithstanding section 17.620.120, the development, improvement, or use of a lot for a community garden or market garden does not require the provision of a solid wall along property lines abutting a residential zone or use. (Ord. 2015-0005 § 43)