The community garden permit application process requires these steps for a successful community garden. If your permit is approved, you can use City-owned land and Austin Water will install the garden's water tap for free.
1. Gather a list of coordinating committee members and a list of committed gardeners.
2. Find and evaluate the space for a community garden.
Get a soil screening and check if there are any utilities in the area where there will be digging.
3. Get a nonprofit sponsor and letters of support from the community.
4. Create documentation for a community garden, including:
- rules and a sample membership agreement
- a calendar or timeline of the garden's design and build
- a budget and fundraising plan for the first year
5. Write a description of the proposed garden and create a sketch to scale.
6. Apply for a site plan or a site plan exemption.
To learn more about site plan permits and site plan exemptions, visit the Development Services Department's Site Plans, Exemptions and Corrections page.
7. Submit a community garden permit application and pay the $50 application fee.
Community Garden Requirements
- At least four dedicated volunteers who don't share a household and are not family must operate and maintain the garden.
- The garden must be open to the public at least once a month.
- Harvested items are not for commercial use.
- Gardens must use sustainable urban agriculture practices, including composting and avoiding pesticides.
Time Frame
On average, the permitting process takes a year and is divided into three phases, with a check-in at the end of each phase.
If you are interested in starting a community garden on a faster timeline, consider a partnership with a neighborhood or community center. You will still need to work with the community gardens coordinator to ensure the site is eligible and safe.
Templates
The Community Gardens Program has created templates for the various documents you will need in your application to help you in the process.
Third and Final Check-In
Once you have your garden design and an approved site plan, you are ready to submit your community garden permit application. This is the third and final check-in.
1. Make sure that you have already gone through the first and second community garden permit check-ins.
2. Gather the following documents:
- Garden design description and sketch
- Approved site plan or site plan exemption
- Final draft of garden documentation, including:
- Garden rules
- Membership agreement
- Timeline
- First-year budget and fundraising plan
3. Submit all documents to the Community Gardens Program.
- By email (recommended)
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Send the documents as attachments or viewable link to communitygardens@austintexas.gov.
- By mail
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Print and mail your documents to:
Community Gardens Program, 200 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704
Please contact the community gardens coordinator first by email so they will expect the packet in the mail.
4. Pay the $50 application fee.
Mail a check to: Attn: PARD Finance, 200 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704
5. You will be contacted regarding your application within two weeks.
Because you have gone through multiple check-ins and worked closely with the Community Gardens Program staff, applications are typically approved. If an application is not ready to be approved, the Community Gardens Program staff will communicate what is missing or needs to be revised.
6. An approved community gardens permit application serves as a fee waiver for a water tap installation.
The Community Gardens Program staff will work closely with your team to get water to your garden.