Current Initiatives​

City of Detroit Animal Husbandry License & Land Use​

Residents seeking to keep animals or bees must obtain a license through the City of Detroit Animal Control Division. The application will be reviewed for compliance with city ordinances and zoning regulations. Fill out the form here.​ ​

Land Access: Purchasing Land and Permitting​

Interested in starting a land-based project? Visit the BSEED Land-Based Projects page for detailed information on purchasing land and permitting processes.​ ​​

Citywide Composting Program Launch ​ 

The Office of Sustainability is launching a free composting program for residents in 2025 with $100,000 in support from Carhartt, providing supplies, education, and a citywide drop-off site to strengthen community composting efforts. For more information, contact us at [email protected].​ ​ 

Water Consortium

The City of Detroit is working to improve water access for urban farms and gardens in Detroit in partnership with the Water Consortium. The Consortium is a collective of agriculture related organizations coming together to help bring multiple governmental departments to the table to improve the system for water tap installations and tote fill-ups. Learn more here. 

Bee City Resolution ​

The City of Detroit's Bee City Resolution supports pollinator conservation by promoting sustainable habitats, with the Office of Sustainability collaborating with community organizations to enhance education and local initiatives. Read more here. ​

History of Urban Agriculture in Detroit​ 

Detroit's journey in urban agriculture spans from the early 20th-century Potato Patch Farms to the 1970s Farm-A-Lot Program. Today, with over 2,200 gardens and farms, Detroit is a global leader in transforming vacant lots into vibrant, food-secure neighborhoods. These efforts provide fresh produce, strengthen community ties, promote environmental stewardship, and drive economic growth, showcasing resilience and innovation in urban food systems. Click the link below to see the historical timeline. ​ 

History of Urban Agriculture in Detroit

Guiding Policy Documents​ 

• Urban Agriculture Ordinance of 2013​
• Detroit Food Policy Council 2015​
  • The Detroit Food Policy Council- Food Systems Leaders worked with Councilwoman JoAnn Watson in 2014 to form the DFPC. The councils call to action was to ensured that those bringing food into our communities and the quality of foods provided to our youth and residents were held accountable ​
• Animal Keeping Ordinance of 2024 (Amendment Ch. 6 and Ch. 50)​
  • Animal Keeping Ordinance FAQ​
• City of Detroit Bee City Resolution​
• Urban Bird Treaty of 2017 ​
  • Detroit signed the Urban Bird Treaty in 2017, becoming the 29th US city to do so. The treaty is a collaboration between the city, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other organizations to help birds and their habitats. ​ ​ ​