7.25.01 Purpose and intent.

It is the purpose and intent of this division to establish appropriate standards which allow for urban agriculture, while mitigating any associated undesirable impacts. Urban agriculture may create impacts which can be detrimental to the quality of life of adjacent property owners.

7.25.02 Operational requirements

A.

Maintenance.

1.

The property shall be maintained in an orderly and neat condition consistent with City property maintenance standards. No trash or debris shall be stored or allowed to remain on the property.

2.

Tools and supplies shall be stored indoors or removed from the property daily.

3.

Power tools (e.g., mowers, tillers) shall be stored at the rear of the property and screened from view by landscaping and fencing.

4.

Vegetative material (e.g., compost), additional dirt for distribution and other bulk supplies shall be stored to the rear or center of the property, shall be kept in a neat and orderly fashion and shall not create a visual blight or offensive odors.

5.

The agricultural use shall be designed and maintained to prevent any chemical pesticide, fertilizer or other garden waste from draining off of the property. Pesticides, fertilizers and other such chemicals are prohibited within two hundred (200) feet of an existing or designated wellhead as per Section 8.06.03 of this Code.

6.

For the health and safety of all area residents, synthetic chemical fertilizers, herbicides, weed killers, insecticides, and pesticides are not permitted on the property. Herbicides and insecticides made from natural materials are permitted, but are to be used sparingly and with caution. Pesticides and fertilizers may only be stored on the property in a locked building (with proper site plan and building permit approval) and must comply with any other applicable requirements for hazardous materials.

B.

Equipment. Mechanical equipment used in the operation of an urban agriculture use shall be limited to the following:

1.

Riding/push mowers designed for personal household use;

2.

Hand-held tillers or edgers that may be gas or electrically powered; and

3.

Other hand-held equipment designed for personal household use that creates minimal impacts related to the operation of said equipment, including noise, odors and vibration.

C.

Accessory structures. All accessory structures, including but not limited to picnic tables, sheds, and water pumps, shall comply with the requirements of the zoning district and the applicable provisions of Chapter 12, Accessory Uses.

D.

Parking. Parking is allowed on site in designated areas consistent with zoning district development standards provided in the Land Development Code.

E.

Trash. The property owner shall coordinate the location and type of trash container used on the site with the solid waste serve provider. Trash containers shall be located in the least obtrusive location possible.

7.25.03 Urban agriculture application and register.

A.

Applicability. All urban agriculture uses shall be approved by and registered with the City of New Port Richey's Environmental Committee annually.

B.

Applications shall include the contact information for the applicant who shall be responsible for the management of the urban agriculture use. The applicant shall be responsible for notifying the environmental committee of any updated contact information.

C.

Upon receipt of the application, the environmental committee shall add the contact information to the registry and forward an updated registry to code enforcement.

D.

An urban agriculture use registration shall expire one (1) year after the original filing date and may be renewed on an annual basis. If a registration is not renewed, the property owner shall return the site to its original condition within thirty (30) days of non-use and is subject to code enforcement if non-compliant. Any material modifications (structures, fencing, signage, and so on) to the property requiring permits must abide by relevant zoning regulations and follow all permitting and review requirements of the City of New Port Richey.

E.

Upon the establishment of an urban agriculture use, the applicant may have installed on the subject property and maintain a posting of the contact information for the urban agriculture use. This posting shall not exceed four (4) square feet in size.

(Ord. No. 2016-2073, § XV, 6-21-2016)