Community Gardens

An ordinance amending Chapter 51. ‘Dallas Development Code: Ordinance No. 10962, as

amended,” and Chapter 51A, “Dallas Development Code: Ordinance No. 19455, as amended,”

of the Dallas City Code by amending Sections 51-4.215, 51A-4.124, 51A-4.127. and 51A-4.201;

creating a new community garden use; providing appropriate standards for the use; providing a

penalty not to exceed $2,000; providing a saving clause; providing a severability clause; and

providing an effective date.

WHEREAS. the city plan commission and the city council, in accordance with the

Charter of the City of Dallas, the state law, and the ordinances of the City of Dallas, have given

the required notices and have held the required public hearings regarding this amendment to the

Dallas City Code; Now. Therefore.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE C1TY OF DALLAS:

SECTION 1. That Paragraph (1), “Farm or Ranch,” of Section 5 1-4.215, “Animal

Related Uses,” of Division 5 1-4.200, “Use Regulations,” of Article IV, “Zoning Regulations,” of

Chapter 51, “Dallas I)evelopment Code: Ordinance No. 10962, as amended,” of the Dallas City

Code is amended to read as follows:

(1) Farm or ranch.

(A) Definitions:

(i) COMMUNITY GARDEN means an area of land managed and maintained by a group of individuals to grow and harvest food crops and/or ornamental crops for personal or group use, consumption, or donation. Community gardens may be divided into separate plots for cultivation by one or more individuals or may be farmed collectively by members of the group and may include common areas maintained and used by group members.

(ii) FARM OR RANCH means an area which is used for growing farm products or keeping farm poultry and farm livestock.

(B) Districts permitted:

(i) A community garden is permitted by right in all districts.

(ii) A farm or ranch is permitted by right in residential districts except MH; nonresidential districts except NO, LO, MO, and GO districts.

(C) Required off-street parking:

(i) For a community garden, none.

(ii) For a farm or ranch, a minimum of two spaces.

(D) Required off-street loading: None.

(E) Additional provisions for community gardens:

(i) A community garden must comply with the regulations for the zoning district in which the community garden is located.

(ii) Animal grazing and animal production are prohibited.

(iii) For a community garden in a residential district, the combined floor area of structures may not exceed 200 square feet and must be erected in the rear 30 percent of the lot.

(iv) For a community garden in a residential district, signage is

limited to a single, non-illuminated, flat sign of no more than six square feet.

(F) Additional provisions for farms or ranches:

(i) A person shall not operate a farm or ranch upon an area less

than three acres.

(ii) Farm products include vegetables, fruits, trees, and grain.

(iii) Farm poultry and farm livestock include but are not limited

to pigs, chickens, turkeys, cows. sheep, goats, and horses.

(iv) A structure may be erected for a private stable, pen, barn,

shed, or silo for raising, treating, and storing products raised on the premises. This structure may not include a dwelling unit.

SECTION 4. That Subparagraph (A). “Agricultural Uses.” of Paragraph (2). “Main Uses

Permitted.” of Subsection (c). “UC Districts.” of Section 51A-4.127. “Urban Corridor Districts,”

of Division 5lA-4.120, “Nonresidential District Regulations,” of Article IV, “Zoning

Regulations,” of Chapter 51A, “Dallas Development Code: Ordinance No. 19455, as amended,”

of the Dallas City Code is amended to read as follows:

(A) Agricultural uses.

-- Crop production.

SECTION 5. That Paragraph (3). “Crop Production.” of Section 51A-4.201.

“Agricultural Uses,” of Division 51A-4.200. “Use Regulations.” of Article IV, “Zoning

Regulations,” of Chapter 51A, “Dallas Development Code: Ordinance No. 19455, as amended,”

of the Dallas City Code is amended to read as follows:

(3) Crop production.

(A) Definitions. In this paragraph:

(i) COMMUNITY GARDEN means an area of land managed and maintained by a group of individuals to grow and harvest food crops and/or ornamental crops for personal or group use, consumption, or donation. Community gardens may be divided into separate plots for cultivation by one or more individuals or may be farmed collectively by members of the group and may include common areas maintained and used by group members.

(ii) FARM means an area used for the raising or harvesting

of agricultural crops such as vegetables, fruit, trees, grain, field forage. and other plant

crops intended to provide food or fiber.

(B) Districts permitted: By right in all districts.

(C) Required off-street parking: None.

(D) Required off-street loading: None.

(E) Additional provisions for community gardens:

(i) A community garden must comply with the regulations for the zoning district in which the community garden is located.

(ii) Animal grazing and animal production are prohibited.

(iii) For a community garden in a residential district, the combined floor area of structures may not exceed 200 square feet and must be erected in the rear 30 percent of the lot.

(iv) For a community garden in a residential district, signage is limited to a single, non-illuminated, flat sign of no more than six square feet.

(F) Additional provisions for farms:

(i) A person shall not operate a farm upon an area less than three acres.

(ii) Structures may be erected for a private pen, barn, shed, or silo for the treating, and storing of products raised on the premises. A dwelling unit is permitted either as part of this structure or as a separate structure.

(iii) Animal grazing is allowed as part of this use; however, animal production, as defined in Section 51A-4.201(l), is not permitted.”