Seattle, WA Parking Strip Gardening Regulations
Seattle, Washington is encouraging its residents to integrate urban agriculture on their property in any space available, even the parking strip. The changes in regulations make it easier for property owners to cultivate vegetable gardens between the sidewalk and road.
The Seattle Departments of Transportation (SDOT), in 2009, changed its requirements for property owners to garden in the parking strip outside of their homes.
Seattle garden in the parking strip. Photo Courtesy of Seattle Urban Farmer. Property owners no longer need a permit for parking strip vegetable gardens. Hardscaping of the parking strip, which includes paving or adding brick, still requires a permit that is free of charge.
The SDOT regulation changes were spurred by the 2008 Seattle City Council adopted Resolution 31019, the Local Food Action Initiative, which outlines a series of actions developed to promote local and regional food sustainability and security. The goals of the Local Food Action Initiative include improving the local food system through advancing the City of Seattle's interrelated goals of race and social justice, environmental sustainability, economic development, and emergency preparedness.
The Local Food Action Initiative has set the stage for numerous local food and urban agriculture programs that fosters food security for the City. Further, the changes in the regulations promote more opportunities for Seattle residents to grow and learn about food, promote food security, and eat locally.
Additional information on this case study:
City of Seattle Guide to Gardening in Parking Strips
City of Seattle launches “2010: The Year of Urban Agriculture" campaign
Category: Cultural and Natural Resource Assets
Issue: Urban Agriculture Ordinances
Community Type: Urban
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, Director of Street Use and Urban Forestry 206-684-5572
Downloaded from Successful Communities Online Toolkit information exchange: www.scotie.org