POLICY DATABASE
Policy Summary

Establishes and provides regulations for an Urban Agriculture Zones (UAZ) for growers, and small businesses who process or sell (vend) food, on blighted and underutilized land. Qualified UAZs are exempt from property taxes for a time period designated by the city council, up to 25 years. Grower UAZs may receive a rebate to cover water utilization costs, if funds are available. Food vending UAZs are required to have 75% of the food be locally grown, as defined by the law. Local sales taxes collected from sales of agricultural products on the UAZ or by a mobile unit associated with the UAZ are to be deposited in an account designated by the Missouri UAZ Act.

Background Information

State Missouri
Jurisdiction Name Kansas City
Jurisdiction Type City,
Population Size 200,000-800,000
Legal Strategies
  • Creates an incentive for a change
  • Creates an exemption
Reach Limited scope
Creates a voluntary program for small busineses and growers, with a tax abatement incentive.
Food System Category Grow; Process;

Policy Details

Refers to priority populations?
Yes

"eliminating food deserts" Sec. 74-203 (13); "UAZ vendor license and the ability to accept food stamps under the provisions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as a form of payment in selling products to consumers" Sec. 74-203(12).

Emergency management?
No
Health-related linkage?
Yes

"The city encourages the use of grower [Urban Agriculture Zones (UAZs)] in a manner that primarily supports the expanded availability of healthy foods intended for human consumption." Sec. 74-206(a).

Environmental linkage?
Yes

Prioritizes locally grown agricultural products (Sec. 74-207); sustainable land use practices (Sec. 74-203(13)).

Economic linkage?
Yes

"creating urban agriculture employment opportunities, expanding local agriculture-related business" and "engaging in community outreach to promote healthier lifestyles and safe and organic gardening practices, and improving access to locally grown, processed and marketed healthy foods." Sec. 74-203 (13).

Includes findings?
No

Has a stated intent or purpose?
No

Includes definitions?
Yes

Sec. 74-201.

Addresses implementation?
Yes

"If an application is determined to be eligible for [Urban Agriculture Zone (UAZ)] designation under the provision of this article and the UAZ Act, then the director shall introduce an ordinance to establish an urban agricultural zone board. "Sec. 74-210. See also Sections 74-203 (application process); 74-215 (reporting); 74-217, -218 (reviewing procedures).

Enforcement provisions?
Yes

"If the director determines that any business has violated the provisions of this article or the [Urban Agriculture Zone] Act in such a manner as to render the real property ineligible for the ad valorem property tax abatement, the city shall be entitled to recoup from the business the entirety of the ad valorem property taxes that would have otherwise been due and payable but for their abatement." Sec. 74-216.

Evaluation component?
Yes

"Those businesses within a UAZ shall submit an annual report to the director no later than May 1 of each calendar year." Sec. 74-215.

Requires extra investment?
No

Code context and ordinance history

Chapter 74, Kansas City Redevelopment Ordinance; Article VI-Urban Agriculture Zone. History: Ord. No. 140287 , § 1, 5-1-14.

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