This chapter addresses a variety of urban agriculture uses, including ground level and rooftop farms and greenhouses for commercial purposes; aquaculture, aquaponic, and hydroponic farms; composting; keeping of hens and bees; and farmers; markets and farm stands. It allows urban farming activities for commericial purposes to occur in many districts across the city, including residential zones/districts.
Soil safety (sec. 89-7)
"The purpose of this Article is to establish zoning regulations for the operation of Urban Agriculture activities and to provide standards for the siting, design, maintenance and modification of Urban Agriculture activities that address public safety, and minimize impacts on residents and historic resources in the City of Boston." Sec. 89-1
Section 89-2
Boston Redevelopment Authority may issue regulations to administer (Sec. 89-14). When a Comprehensive Farm Review is required, that is to be conducted by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, and reviewed/approved by the Inspectional Services Department (see Sections 89-2, definition of "comprehensive farm review" and 89-6).
Uncodified Article 89 added to Boston's Zoning Code in December 2013. Codified version is availabe on Municode at https://library.municode.com/ma/boston/codes/redevelopment_authority?nodeId=ART89URAG&showChanges=true. Our review showed few, if any, substantial changes between 2013 and the most recent codified version (current through Aug. 8, 2017).