Title
Providing for an exemption from charges relating to storm water management and disposal for community gardens operated for community benefit and producing food or non-food crops; all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, relating to Finances, Taxes, and Collections, is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 19-1600. WATER AND SEWER RENTS.
* * *
§19-1603. [Reserved.] Community Gardens.
(1) For purposes of this Section, "Community Garden" shall mean any parcel of land used for growing crops, whether food or non-food, for personal consumption, donation, or sale, provided that the following criteria are met:
(a) The parcel's principal use is devoted to regularly-planted crop bed and such other related uses as are reasonable and necessary to growing such crops and maintaining the garden (for example, but not by way of limitation, common areas for hand tool storage sheds or compost bins);
(b) At least 80% of the gross area of the parcel is effectively pervious;
(c) A community or non-profit organization, or a group of individuals ascertainable to the Water Department and associated for purposes of operating the garden for public benefit, operates the parcel and possesses written evidence of the right to use the parcel as a Community Garden; such evidence may include a deed in the name of the organization, a lease, license or other agreement, or such other written authorization as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Water Department;
(d) Gardening activities are conducted primarily by members of the organization or group of individuals defined in §19-1603(1)(c); and
(e) The parcel is appropriately maintained so as not to cause blight or nuisance.
(2) Upon the Water Department's approval of an application as set forth in this subsection (2), a parcel shall be classified as a "Community Garden" and shall be eligib...
Click here for full text