Urban Agriculture

Property sold to be used as urban agriculture that is fenced and managed by local growers.

Urban agriculture increases equitable community access to healthy foods, promotes community cohesion, and provides business and educational opportunities to neighborhood residents.

Purchase price:

Applicants can purchase the property for $1.00 per individual property with a ten-year commitment to use the land for urban agriculture. Urban Agriculture sites typically consist of one to three properties.

Required application materials

Name of individual or of business or non-profit

Individuals must include their full legal first and last name.
Non-profits or businesses must include their legal and DBA name as registered with the Illinois Secretary of State.

Address of residence, non-profit, or business

Individuals must provide their primary residence address.
Non-profits or businesses must provide their physical business address.

Project description

Provide details regarding the proposed use and/or physical improvements for the subject property or site.

Site plan

A dimensioned and to-scale site plan that labels all proposed physical improvements, distance from lot lines, and any key activity areas is required.

Project budget

An itemized budget for the proposed use and/or improvements is required.

Demonstrated community engagement

Applicant demonstrates that there has been communication with area residents, businesses, community organizations and alders about the project.

Description of impact on immediate block area and surrounding community

Please see application-type specific requirements for details.

Purchase offer

Each application must include a proposed purchase price. With few exceptions, market rate applications are expected to offer the full market value or above for the property.

Economic Disclosure Statement (EDS)

This can be completed online here. Download a PDF copy to upload to the application.

Indebtedness check

The applicant must not have any outstanding debts or financial obligations to the City or delinquent real estate property taxes.
If the applicant is a non-profit, the indebtedness check is performed on the non-profit organization and its officers.
If the applicant is a business, the indebtedness check is performed on all ownership interests of greater than 7.5 percent (7.5%).

Additional considerations

Additional required submittal materials and information for a complete Urban Agriculture Land Access Application and the criteria by which applications will be evaluated can be found on the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection’s (BACP) Urban Agriculture Land Access webpage.

Standard conditions of sale for Urban Agriculture Applications, if approved by City Council:

The approved purchaser must demonstrate sufficient progress towards urban farm creation within one year of selection (i.e. examples of such activities include obtaining a produce merchant license, obtaining a business license, and initial site preparation).
The approved purchaser must commit to long-term stewardship of the site for urban agriculture for a minimum of ten years.
The approved purchaser must submit proof of acceptable land use to BACP, which will monitor land activity annually for the first five years.
The approved purchaser must actively maintain the property, which includes but is not limited to growing produce for the community, maintenance of soil beds, weed removal, maintenance of fencing, and maintenance of hoop houses.
The approved purchaser must develop the urban growing operations to be fully operational within five years after closing. A fully operational urban growing operations means selling or providing food to communities experiencing lack of access to healthy foods.
The approved purchaser must keep current with property tax payments and have no outstanding debt with the City.

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Chicago

Urban Agriculture

Property sold to be used as urban agriculture that is fenced and managed by local growers.

City of Chicago