Have you been tortured by your desire to be a farmer and your attachment to your urban dwelling?  Worry no more!  The Seattle City Council recently updated and approved the ordinance governing urban farms and community gardens.  I think you will soon be seeing many more chicken coops, vegetables for sale and straw hats around your Seattle neighborhood.

Below are a few of the provisions in the ordinance.  Check out the complete ordinance here.

   In all residential zones all urban farms are subject to the following provisions:

             1.  Mechanical equipment. Only mechanical equipment designed for household use may be used. 

            2.  Sales. Retail sales and all other public use of the farm shall begin no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and end by 7:00p.m. every day of the week. 

            3.  Deliveries. Commercial deliveries and pickups are limited to one per day. On-site sales are not considered commercial pickups. 

            4.  Motor vehicles.  No more than two motor vehicles, each with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less, may be used for farm operations.

             5.  Location. The farm shall be located on the same lot as the principal use to which it is accessory or on a lot where the planting area is within 800 feet of the lot where the principal use is located.

             6.  Signs.  One identification sign is permitted, not exceeding 64 square inches in area.

             7.  Structures.  On a lot with no principal structure:

                   a. The total gross floor area of all structures for urban farm use may not exceed 1,000 square feet.

                   b. Structures for urban farm use may not exceed 12 feet in height, including any pitched roof.

                   c. Structures for urban farm use are also subject to the development standards that would apply to an accessory structure in the zone.

The Seattle Police department has come out with an interesting crime mapping tool that will certainly be interesting to buyers and also to sellers, homeowners and renters. Part of crime prevention is being aware of it and then taking proactive steps to correct problems by cooperating with your local law enforcement agencies.

Here is a link to the what's called My Neighborhood Map. In conjunction with Bing Maps the Seattle Police Department has put together a wide variety of information besides crime and crime statistics on this site. One can find listings for Art and Recreation, Community Services, Education, Parks, Permits, Public Safety, Transportation and Utilities. This is a bookmark link for anyone who wants quick information for in and around Seattle.

It takes a little orientation to figure out everything that is available on the map but I can see many uses for it besides giving a buyer a link to check out crime statistics in the neighborhood where they are considering purchasing a home.

If you are planning a remodel on your home that was built prior to 1978 there are new rules that dictate whom can do the work on your home and the procedures they must adhere to.  Firms and the employees handling a remodel or renovation on a home built prior to 1978 must be certified.  To get certified the firm and the employee must attend training and pay a fee to the EPA.

As reported by the National Association of Home Builders:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule governing the work of professional remodelers in homes where there is lead-based paint was published in the Federal Register on Earth Day, April 22. The rule took effect April 22, 2010.

The rule addresses remodeling and renovation projects disturbing more than six square feet of potentially contaminated painted surfaces for all residential and multifamily structures built prior to 1978 that are inhabited or frequented by pregnant women and children under the age of six.

It requires a cleaning inspection after the work is completed and grants the remodeler flexibility in determining the size of the work area, which can reduce the size of the area subject to containment.

The EPA rule also lists prohibited work practices ― including open-torch burning and using high-heat guns and high-speed equipment such as grinders and sanders unless equipped with a HEPA filter.

Additionally, the rule establishes required lead-safe work practices, including posting warning signs for occupants and visitors; using disposable plastic drop cloths; cleaning the work area with HEPA vacuuming and wet washing; and individual certification through a training course.

The full rule and brochures for consumers and renovators can be downloaded from the EPA's Web site.

Information for Homeowners Working at Home

If you are a homeowner performing renovation, repair, or painting work in your own home, EPA's RRP rule does not cover your project. However, you have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of your family or children in your care. If you are living in a pre-1978 home and planning to do painting or repairs, please read a copy of EPA's Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF) lead hazard information pamphlet (11 pp, 1.1MB). | en español (PDF) (20 pp, 3.2MB). You may also want to call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) and ask for more information on how to work safely in a home with lead-based paint.