COMMUNITY GARDENS/URBAN FARMS.
Fresno Municipal Code § 15-2720
in effectSEC. 15-2720. - COMMUNITY GARDENS/URBAN FARMS.
Community Gardens and/or Urban Farms, collectively referred to as Gardens, may be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the following standards.
A. Management.
1. Community Gardens.
a. Shall be organized by community groups, nonprofit organizations, the City, or land owners. A manager shall be designated for each Community Garden who shall serve as liaison between gardeners, property owner(s), and the City.
b. If located within a Planned Development or Multi-Unit Residential Complex, the Homeowner's Association and/or property management company shall be responsible for the site and shall designate a liaison between the property owner(s) and the City.
2. Urban Farm. May be operated by a sole proprietor or an organization. A manager shall be designated who shall serve as liaison between the owner(s) and the City.
B. Operational Plan. The applicant shall submit an operational plan that identifies roles and responsibilities, contact information, and operations of the Garden.
C. Location. Refer to Table 15-2720-C.
TABLE 15-2720-C PERMITTED DISTRICTS AND AREA LIMITATIONS
District/Site Location | Minimum Lot Size | Maximum Lot Size
Residential District with access to a local street | 3,000 sq. ft. | 21,780 sq. ft.
Residential District with direct access to a major street | No minimum | 2 acres
Residential Districts if part of a Planned Development, Multi-Unit Complex (must be for the sole use of residents), or Religious Assembly Facility | No minimum | No maximum
Non-Residential Districts | No minimum | 3 acres
Publicly-Owned Site (e.g., Gov't Agency) | No minimum | No maximum
D. Hours of Operation. Gardens shall only be tended between dawn and dusk.
E. Buildings and Structures.
1. Garden sheds for storage of gardening tools and supplies; greenhouses that consist of buildings made of glass, plastic, or fiberglass in which plants are cultivated; outdoor furniture such as benches, bike racks, picnic tables, fences, children's play areas; raised/accessible planting beds; garden art; rain barrel systems; and structures for the sale of produce may be permitted.
2. Buildings and structures, including temporary structures, shall comply with the property development standards of the underlying district.
3. The combined area of all buildings or structures shall not exceed 25 percent of the garden site lot area.
F. Front Yards. Yards along streets shall contain landscaping and/or planting.
G. Fencing.
1. Fences shall comply with Section 15-2006, Fences, Walls, and Hedges.
2. If proposed, fences shall be located at the rear of front yard setbacks. For street side yards, refer to Section 15-2006, Fences, Walls, and Hedges.
3. Security wire, including concertina, electrical fencing, etc. is prohibited.
H. Equipment. Only household garden tools and equipment, applicators and products, may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, soil preparation, cultivation, planting, application of chemicals, dust control, harvesting, etc. Pull-behind equipment is prohibited.
I. Tillage/Excavation. Prior to tillage or excavation for cultivation, parties shall be responsible for contacting the Underground Service Alert Program (telephone number 811).
J. Maintenance.
1. Curbside residential solid waste service is required. No burning of any material is permitted.
2. The operator shall be responsible for the overall maintenance of the site and shall remove weeds, debris, etc. in a timely manner.
3. Soil amendments, composting, and waste material shall be managed and shall not attract nuisance animals or support growth of flies.
K. Sale of Produce. Incidental sales may be permitted. Sales are limited to items that are grown on-site. Incidental, for purposes of this subsection, shall be defined as once per week.
L. Animal Keeping. Animal keeping is prohibited.
M. Utilities. The land shall be served by a water supply sufficient to support the cultivation practices used on the site.
N. Restrooms. If proposed, restrooms shall be connected to public utilities. Portable restrooms are not permitted.
O. Drainage. Water or fertilizer shall not drain onto adjacent properties, and no permanent retention of water shall be permitted. Dirt from the site shall not be tracked onto adjacent sidewalk, gutter, or street.
P. Composting. Composting is allowed as a minor accessory use to the site.
1. Composting must be done within a sealable container and may only consist of materials generated on-site.
2. The container must be setback at least three feet from property lines.
3. Composting must not lead to runoff of contaminated water nor expose adjacent properties to adverse noise, odors, pests, etc.
(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16; Am. Ord. 2025-024, §§ 56, 57, eff. 7-27-25).
Source: City of Fresno, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/fresno/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCOCHFRCA_CH15CIDECOINRE_PTIIIREAPSOALDI_ART27STSPUSAC_S15-2720COGAURFAFetched: 11/1/2026