Oakland Expands Business License Ordinance

October 6, 2011

Council members voted on Tuesday to extend the Oakland, CA business license ordinance to allow for the sale of homegrown fruits and vegetables.

Prior to this, residents who wanted to sell homegrown fruits and vegetables had to apply for a costly conditional use permit. The regulations for an Oakland, CA conditional use permit are extensive and the fees expensive with costs running at a minimum of $2,800.

With the new change implemented, the total cost of obtaining the business license and home permit necessary to sell one’s own vegetables will be a mere $50.

“With this simple but important change, Oakland residents will now be able to start their own locally-grown food micro-enterprises,” said Esperanza Pallana, owner of the home-based Pluck & Feather Farm and co-founder of the East Bay Urban Agriculture Alliance.

Lee Romney reports in the Los Angeles Times that city officials are hoping that community farms will increase the quality of life in the city. “They say that neighborhoods with community gardens and farms also see reduced crime and more civic involvement.”

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