Front Yard Veggies - Sacramento Update

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As promised here is an update on the front yard landscaping code issue in Sacramento…

To refresh your memory…woman planted veggies in her front yard, city was to cite her for nuisance, she was going to sue, city backed off, now looking to update the code as they have bigger fish to fry…also

**if you have the wording of your local code I would like to get a copy of it…**

Old code read:

“…the remaining portion of the setback areas shall be landscaped, irrigated and maintained with primarily low ground cover or turf. Only living vegetation may be used as ground cover.”

Notice no mention of trees or even shrubs…

Proposed wording going to law and legislative committee and then to city council

“…the remaining portion of the setback areas shall be landscaped, irrigated and maintained

With any combination of living plants but not limited to trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, flowers, or grass.”

this improved wording was taken from landscaping ordinances – residential june 7, 2001 found on line

while the proposed code does not mention vegetables, herbs or cover crops in the wording… officials felt all types of vegetation did not need to be mentioned…

we now wait for results of the law and legislative committee.. they may kick it back with revisions to our review committee which includes the owner of the property in question.

A similar case and article appeared in the paper last Friday… in the City of Roseville.. a suburb of Sacramento about 15 miles away

http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/11251059p-12166474c.html

Will keep you posted on both

Bill Maynard

sacramento