Chicago Zoning Ordinance MCC 17-2-0207 allows community gardens by-right in most residential zones and permits urban farms in M (manufacturing) and PD districts. Rooftop and indoor agriculture are also permitted.
MCC 17-2-0207 authorizes community gardens as a by-right use in residential zones and most business districts, subject to size limits, fencing rules, and on-site storage caps. Urban farms larger than 25,000 square feet are permitted by-right in M1, M2, and M3 manufacturing zones and as special uses in some commercial districts. Rooftop farms, hydroponic operations, and aquaponic facilities qualify under the 2011 urban agriculture amendment. Beekeeping is allowed citywide under MCC 7-12-310. Chickens are permitted at any density with no permit required, though slaughter is banned. Produce sales from gardens are allowed under MCC 17-2-0207-D.
Operating an urban farm outside permitted zones triggers Department of Planning and Development zoning enforcement under MCC 17-15: notice to abate, daily fines of $200 to $1,000, and code-enforcement liens for repeat noncompliance.
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