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

New York City does not prohibit front yard edible or ornamental gardens. The NYC Zoning Resolution does not contain restrictions on planting vegetables, herbs, or flowers in front yards of residential properties. Queens has a rich community gardening tradition, with over 100 community gardens across the borough supported by NYC Parks' GreenThumb program — the largest community gardening program in the United States. In Queens' single-family home neighborhoods (Bayside, Whitestone, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, Glen Oaks), front yard gardens are common and culturally diverse, reflecting the borough's status as the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world. Raised beds, container gardens, and traditional in-ground plots are all permitted. For properties in planned developments, co-ops, or with homeowner associations, additional restrictions on front yard appearance may apply — these are private agreements, not city law. NYC Department of Sanitation rules require that gardens not create unsanitary conditions (attract pests, produce odors, or obstruct sidewalks). Street trees in front of properties are maintained by NYC Parks and the tree bed (the area around the base) may be planted with low-growing plants under the MillionTreesNYC program, but should not impede pedestrian access. Queens also has significant urban farming operations, including community-supported agriculture in neighborhoods like East New York (adjacent in Brooklyn) and Jamaica.