Kings County, NY Invasive Plant Rules: Front Yard Gardens (2026)

New York City does not prohibit front yard vegetable gardens in Brooklyn. Residential properties with front yards (primarily in brownstone Brooklyn, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, and outer Brooklyn neighborhoods) may use that space for edible landscaping, raised beds, and container gardens. NYC has a strong urban agriculture tradition, with over 550 community gardens citywide managed through GreenThumb (the nation's largest community gardening program). Brooklyn is home to many community gardens, rooftop farms, and urban agriculture initiatives. NYC Zoning Resolution amendments (2012) added provisions supporting urban agriculture, including commercial farming on rooftops and in buildings. The NYC Administrative Code does not restrict residential food production. Property maintenance standards require that gardens be maintained — overgrown or abandoned gardens could trigger 311 complaints. Gardens must not encroach on sidewalks or public right-of-way. Tree pits (the small areas around street trees) are technically under Parks Department jurisdiction, and planting in them should follow Parks guidelines. Rooftop gardens are popular in Brooklyn and generally permissible with proper structural considerations.