§ 14-339. Urban agriculture.

(a) Management plan for certain activities.

Urban agriculture uses that involve any of the following activities must prepare a management plan, subject to approval by the Director of Planning, that addresses how the activities will be managed to mitigate impacts on surrounding land uses and natural systems:

(1) Animal husbandry, including chicken coops, apiaries and aquaculture. The keeping of livestock must adhere to all Baltimore City Health Department and Maryland Department of Agriculture regulations.

(2) Processing of food produced on site.

(3) Spreading of manure, sludge, or other nutrient-rich fertilizers.

(4) Spraying of agricultural chemicals, including fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides.

(5) Use of heavy equipment such as tractors.

(b) Greenhouses, etc.

(1) Greenhouses (permanent or temporary) used to extend the growing season are permitted.

(2) There is no limit on the number or square footage on these structures.

(c) Plants for human consumption.

For any urban agriculture use that involves the cultivation of plants for human consumption, measures must be taken to test and, if necessary, remediate the soil in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Department of Planning.

(d) Permanent accessory structures.

(1) Permanent accessory structures are limited to:

(i) tool sheds;

(ii) shade pavilions;

(iii) barns;

(iv) toilet facilities;

(v) planting preparation houses; and

(vi) post-harvest processing facilities.

(2) All structures must be set back at least 5 feet from any lot line.

(3) No structure may exceed 25 feet in height, except for structures designed to capture wind energy.

(e) Combined area of accessory structures.

(1) The combined area of all structures is limited to 25% of the lot area.

(2) For multiple adjoining lots that are under common ownership and used as community-managed open space, the limit for the combined area of structures is applied over the entire site rather than each individual lot. The limit for the combined area of structures for the individual lots may not exceed that of the underlying zoning district.

(f) Farmstands.

(1) Farmstands for the display and sale of agricultural products are permitted.

(2) Farmstands must be removed from the premises or stored inside a structure on the premises during that time of the year when the facility is not open for public use.

(g) Composting.

Composting on-site is allowed as an accessory use, subject to the following conditions:

(1) any compost pile must be located at least 3 feet away from any lot line;

(2) composting areas and structures must be maintained in a way that protects adjacent properties from nuisance odors and the attraction of rodents or other pests; and

(3) organic waste material for composting may be accepted from outside sources and either used on site or distributed at no cost, but may not be sold.