Pigs in the Backyard or the Barnyard: Removing Zoning Impediments to Urban Agriculture

Abstract

Urban agriculture is on the rise in cities across the United States, due in part to consumers' increased interest in buying local and sustainably-produced foods. Many municipalities have recognized the benefits that urban agriculture can bring to their residents, including economically down-trodden cities that view urban agriculture as a way to revitalize their neighborhoods. Unfortunately, zoning regulations often unintentionally prohibit even the most basic farming activities. This Note examines the impact of municipal zoning regulations on urban agriculture, and suggest ways that a municipality looking to encourage urban agriculture can use zoning regulations to responsibly promote its practice.