Among the legislation enacted today by the Milwaukee Common Council is this item requiring the “operator” of a community garden or commercial farming establishment to obtain a permit from DNS.

Number121382VersionSUBSTITUTE 2ReferenceSponsorALD. BOHL, WITKOWSKI, KOVAC AND BAUMANTitleA substitute ordinance relating to zoning regulations for the raising of crops or livestock.AnalysisThis ordinance clarifies the city’s zoning regulations for agricultural and agriculture-related land uses. Specifically, the ordinance:1. Defines the terms “raising of livestock,” “community garden” and “commercial farming establishment” and specifies the use classification (i.e., permitted use, special use, etc.) of these uses in the various zoning districts.2. Requires the operator of a community garden to obtain a community garden permit from the commissioner of city development or the commissioner’s designee.

3. Permits an accessory building on a residentially-zoned lot not containing a principal building, provided the principal use of the lot is the raising of livestock, a community garden or a commercial farming enterprise. Presently, accessory buildings are prohibited on lots that do not contain principal buildings.

4. Provides that if the principal use of a residentially-zoned lot is the raising of livestock, a community garden or a commercial farming establishment, the maximum total lo…

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