§141.0203 Community Gardens
Community gardens are premises that are used for crop cultivation by individuals or collectively, and may be divided into multiple plots. Community gardens are permitted as a limited use in the zones indicated with an “L” and may be permitted with a Neighborhood Use Permit in the zones indicated with an “N” in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones) subject to the following regulations.
(a) On-site sales are permitted as follows:
(1) On site sales are permitted only in commercial and industrial zones, except that on-site sales may be permitted in residential zones one day a week.
(2) Where on-site sales are permitted, sales are subject to the following:
(A) Onsite sales are limited to the sale of unprocessed, non value-added products grown on site; and
(B) All sales must be conducted in compliance with laws regulating onsite sales of products grown in the community garden.
(b) The site shall be designed and maintained to effectively handle all drainage onsite.
(c) A minimum 4-foot-wide, clearly marked entrance path shall be provided from the public right-of-way to the garden.
(d) A permanent sign, including, but not limited to, the name and contact information of the party responsible for the garden shall be posted at the primary entry path adjacent to the public right-of-way. The sign shall comply with the requirements of Section 142.1250(c).
(e) Refuse storage areas shall be provided and screened to enclose all refuse generated from the garden. Refuse areas shall be located as close as practicable to the center of the property. Refuse shall be removed from the site at least once a week.
(f) Storage areas for tools, fertilizers, equipment, and other material shall be enclosed and located as close as practicable to the center of the property.
(g) Best practice standards shall be used for the following garden operations:
(1) Composting
(A) Composting may be performed onsite
(B) Composting materials shall only be those materials:
(i) generated onsite, or
(ii) contributed by active members of the community garden
(C) Composting areas shall be located as close as practicable to the center of the property
(2) Water use
(A) Irrigation water rates shall apply to community gardens
(B) Community gardens shall include the following water conserving techniques:
(i) mulch shall be applied to exposed soils in planting areas;
(ii) soil amendments shall include water retaining matter;
(iii) water shall be applied only to the base of plants; and
(iv) all hoses shall be equipped with a trigger nozzle
(C) Watering of plants shall comply with the watering schedule in Section 67.3803
(3) Community gardens shall comply with the MHPA Land Use Adjacency Guidelines of the Land Development Manual Biology Guidelines.
(h) Hours of operation shall be limited to the hours between sunrise and sunset as set forth by the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration for the San Diego area.
(i) Community gardens located within a public park shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to the satisfaction of the Parks and Recreation Director.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 7-6-2011 by O-20065 N.S.; effective 8-5-2011.)
(Amended 2-22-2012 by O-20140 N.S.; effective 3-23-2012.)
(Amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)