City Slicker Farms

Last month, the City of Oakland passed the first hurdle to becoming a more urban farmer-friendly city! On Wednesday, September 17, the Oakland Planning Commission passed an update to the City’s Agricultural Regulations that recognizes growing food as a right, not a conditional privilege requiring a permit.

The update empowers our city to grow and raise our own food in a few major ways. It makes it easier for anyone to start growing and selling food by changing the definition of a community garden from land cultivated by “more than one” to “one or more” persons.

In addition, the changes remove the lengthy and expensive permitting process that used to be required for growing and selling food on a lot by designating certain agricultural activities as “permitted outright.” These activities include growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs; keeping up to three beehives; and selling those food products on- or off-site. This means any community garden less than one acre in size with a sales area up to 500 square feet no longer has to apply for a Conditional Use Permit, a process that could cost thousands of dollars and take several months.

A huge congratulations and thanks to the Oakland Food Policy Council and all the other supporters and allies for leading the charge on this important regulation change.

There’s Still More to Be Done

This is a big victory for food justice in Oakland, but we’re not done yet. The proposal will next move on to consideration by the Community Economic Development Committee of the City Council. As soon as the meeting details are posted, we will make updates on Facebook and other social media. However, you can also call and write your city councilperson and express support for this proposal. Find your councilperson at: http://mapgis.oaklandnet.com/councildistricts/.