Tuesday, July 7th Pittsburgh City Council unanimously passed changes to the Urban Agriculture Zoning Code 8-0 (Councilman Lavelle was not present).
The updated code streamlines the process for keeping animals and expands the opportunity for the sale of vegetables. Previously, individuals, community organizations and businesses wishing to keep chickens or bees on their property were required to pay a $300 application fee and have a public hearing. Now, a landowner can be granted a $70 over-the-counter permit via the Zoning Division of City Planning.
Individuals who grow food on land they own (backyard or a parcel used for vegetable production) may now sell produce through an on-site farmstand. Additionally, the amount of land required for a full-scale farm has been reduced to two acres.
Burgh Bees, Grow Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council and Pittsburgh Pro Poultry People worked closely with the Department of City Planning to align the code with animal welfare with an eye towards inclusivity and accessibility.
Read a simplified version of the code here.
We held a press conference with Mayor Peduto to celebrate the code passing into law. We were joined by goats, chickens, bees and a cornucopia of home grown foods!
Check out the coverage in the Post Gazette and on NextPittsburgh, KDKA and WTAE.