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Council hears support for code change to allow on-site sales from residential urban gardens
Summary
The council considered a text amendment to allow individual urban gardens and on-site produce sales in residential zones and to recognize urban gardening as a home occupation; supporters said the change advances food security, cultural food access and climate goals.
The City Council heard presentations and public comment Monday on a proposed text amendment to the Lincoln Municipal Code to allow urban gardens on residential properties, permit on-site sales under conditions and clarify that selling garden produce is acceptable as a home occupation.
Paul Barnes of the Planning Department said the amendment responds to the city's local food system plan and climate action plan and was unanimously recommended by the Planning Commission. "So this is an a text amendment, relating to urban gardens," Barnes told the council and described three main points: allow individuals (not only groups) to operate urban gardens in residential zones, allow on-site sales per conditions in the code, and clarify home-occupation status for garden sales.
Anna Eddings, sustainability specialist in the mayor’s office, described local food and equity rationales: Lincoln currently relies heavily on out-of-state food supply, many census tracts have low access to healthy food, and the change would help residents grow culturally relevant produce and create small-scale economic opportunities. "We believe that everyone deserves access to fresh nutritious food," Eddings said, adding that neighborhood-level gardens can expand diversity of available foods and strengthen community resilience.
Speakers from local organizations urged the council to approve the change. Ken Winston, representing Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light and the Nebraska Sierra Club, told the council the amendment aligns with the city's climate action plan and comprehensive plan and highlighted benefits including reduced transportation and lawn-mowing fossil-fuel use and community-building. "This amendment is supported by the climate action plan," Winston said. Kirsten Heiberger of Friends of Wilderness Park also expressed organizational support, saying gardens increase opportunities for community members to connect with nature and improve food access.
Council members asked about enforcement and pesticide oversight; city staff noted existing health, weed and hazardous-materials codes under Titles 5 and 8 and that pesticide regulation is governed by state and federal law and label instructions. Paul Barnes said complaints would continue to be handled through existing enforcement channels and the amendment does not create exemptions from public-health or nuisance regulations.
Planning staff reported that the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval and that the proposal had received several letters of support. The item was discussed at the meeting; council debate and any final vote were not recorded in the transcript segment provided.
