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Board advances planning code changes to expand and regulate urban agriculture
Summary
An ordinance to update the planning code to support urban gardens and farms — including clarified limitations on on‑site sales and technical code corrections — passed its first reading with unanimous support.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed on first reading an ordinance amending the San Francisco Planning Code to update controls for urban agricultural uses, including community gardens and small urban farms.
What the ordinance does
President David Chiu and cosponsors described the ordinance as a comprehensive update that enables more urban gardens and clarifies where sales of produce grown on site are permitted. The sponsor noted technical amendments addressing section numbers and a clarification that limited sales of food grown on‑site are not permitted within dwelling units.
Discussion and support
Speakers at the hearing praised the work of the San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance and city staff. Several supervisors said the ordinance acknowledges the growing movement for urban agriculture, supports local food production, green jobs and neighborhood health, and may require trailing legislation to protect gardens on parcels that might be redeveloped in the future.
Vote and next steps
The ordinance passed its first reading without objection; supervisors said they expect additional technical or implementation measures to follow as needed.
Ending note
Supporters characterized the measure as a step toward making San Francisco a national leader in urban agriculture and preserving community‑based green space as the city redevelops older properties.
