Philadelphia, PA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning status
- By-right in all residential districts
- Table
- 14-602-1, Urban Agriculture Use Category
- Standards section
- § 14-603(15)
- Market farm in RSD-1/2/3
- Special exception only
Summary
Philadelphia's Zoning Code classifies community gardens, market farms, and orchards as a protected Urban Agriculture use category permitted as-of-right in every residential district.
Urban Agricultural Use Category. This category includes uses such as gardens, farms, and orchards that involve the raising and harvesting of food and non-food crops and the raising of farm animals. ... Community Garden [Table 14-602-1]: Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y (all 18 residential districts)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Philadelphia Code Title 14 creates an Urban Agricultural Use Category covering gardens, farms, orchards, animal husbandry, and horticulture nurseries. Zoning Table 14-602-1 lists Community Garden as a "Y" (permitted as of right) use in all eighteen residential districts, from RSD-1 single-family zones through RMX-3 mixed-use zones, and in commercial and industrial districts too. Market and community-supported farms are allowed by-right in most districts and by special exception in the three lowest-density RSD zones. Section 14-603(15) sets the operating standards: sales must happen on-site or wherever retail is already allowed, and stormwater and fertilizer runoff can't drain onto neighboring lots.
Violations & Fines
Operating an urban agriculture use outside these standards (e.g., unscreened market farm abutting a residential district, or drainage onto neighbors) is a zoning code violation subject to L&I enforcement and correction notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start a community garden on a residential lot in Philadelphia?
Do I need zoning approval to sell produce from a market farm?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania right to farm overview
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