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01 September 2010 ,

Requiring permits for urban ag

By Melanie Redman
Photo courtesy of Flickr and emrank Photo courtesy of Flickr and emrank
There is a Libertarian living inside of me somewhere, whispering in my inner ear. I was just reading a piece about Pittsburgh's efforts to regulate city agriculture (beekeeping, community gardens, and raising chickens) by requiring permits for these activities. That's when my inner Libertarian started SCREAMING!

Obviously, one can make the argument that permitting legitimizes and sanctions activities - protects them. I just hate that we can't imagine urban environments where city agriculture doesn't need to be permitted, as it's just expected. I also have concerns about the costs of permits, and how that could limit access to these activities. 

In the end, maybe I don't have a tiny Libertarian inside of me. It's possible I just have a problem always asking permission to do what must be done. 

What are your thoughts on requiring permits for urban agricultural activities?

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Written by: Melanie Redman

Melanie Redman

Melanie Redman is a Social Mission Collaborator with more than 10 years of direct experience in strategic, leadership and advisory roles across the social mission sector in the U.S. and Canada. She calls many places home - most recently Toronto, Buenos Aires and Seattle - but was sprouted from the Ozark Mountains of Southern Missouri. Learn more about her work at www.melanieredman.com or on LinkedIn.

 

Responses to “Requiring permits for urban ag”

1
Sunka Says: September 1, 2010 2:14 PM

It's all about Private Property Rights. If you live in a city you end up forfeiting your rights to too many asinine things like zoning laws and permits. Remember, you're required by law to have a water heater, but you have to get a permit in order to legally put it in.
Permits are just an excuse for the city to get more money, and Pittsburgh is hurting bad.
Should it be done? No. If you own your land you should be able to do with it what you want. Well, except maybe the beekeeping thing. I can understand regulating bees. There's a LOT of people out there that a bee sting will kill, and nobody wants to accidentally kill somebody.

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