From the Ground Up: Navigating Urban Planning and Zoning
Intro
Section 1: Land and Water Access
How do I find a community garden?
Find a community garden near you: https://kccg.org/find-a-garden-near-you/
How do I find out who owns a vacant lot?
If you want to find out who owns a vacant lot, a parcel map can help you identify the parcel number, land owner, and more. Many cities have parcel maps online. You can search by address, or If the address is unknown, zoom in on the neighborhood, then click on the parcel to see more information.
How do I find public land to lease or buy?
Land banks list publicly held land that is available for lease or purchase. While leasing can be an affordable option, lease agreements are often for a single year and subject to annual renewal. Lease agreements may prohibit permanent accessory structures, like storage sheds or wash stations, to be built on vacant lots. Land banks frequently disconnect water lines on vacant lots, and reinstalling a water line or installing a tap is a big investment whether you are leasing or buying.
If you are looking for a vacant lot in Kansas City, Missouri, Heartland Conservation Alliance developed a mapping tool that ranks environmental sensitivity. Scroll down to get to the mapping tool and instructions.
How do I install a water line or tap?
Reconnecting a water line or installing a tap can cost thousands of dollars. You will need to hire a plumber, who will then apply for a permit from the municipality. Even if your farm is residentially zoned, a commercial permit may be required. The KC Grow water access program provides water audits and small grants to community gardens and urban farms in Kansas City, Missouri.
Find a community garden near you: https://kccg.org/find-a-garden-near-you/
How do I find out who owns a vacant lot?
If you want to find out who owns a vacant lot, a parcel map can help you identify the parcel number, land owner, and more. Many cities have parcel maps online. You can search by address, or If the address is unknown, zoom in on the neighborhood, then click on the parcel to see more information.
- Kansas City, KS - Parcel Viewer
- Kansas City, MO - Parcel Viewer
How do I find public land to lease or buy?
Land banks list publicly held land that is available for lease or purchase. While leasing can be an affordable option, lease agreements are often for a single year and subject to annual renewal. Lease agreements may prohibit permanent accessory structures, like storage sheds or wash stations, to be built on vacant lots. Land banks frequently disconnect water lines on vacant lots, and reinstalling a water line or installing a tap is a big investment whether you are leasing or buying.
- Kansas City, KS - Land Bank
- Kansas City, MO - Land Bank https://www.kcmolandbank.org/vacant-lots-and-land.htm
If you are looking for a vacant lot in Kansas City, Missouri, Heartland Conservation Alliance developed a mapping tool that ranks environmental sensitivity. Scroll down to get to the mapping tool and instructions.
- Heartland Conservation Alliance - Vacant Lot Mapping Tool - https://www.heartlandconservationalliance.org/vacant-lot-mapping-tools
How do I install a water line or tap?
Reconnecting a water line or installing a tap can cost thousands of dollars. You will need to hire a plumber, who will then apply for a permit from the municipality. Even if your farm is residentially zoned, a commercial permit may be required. The KC Grow water access program provides water audits and small grants to community gardens and urban farms in Kansas City, Missouri.
- KC Grow Water Access Fund - https://www.tfaforms.com/rest/forms/view/419961
How do I find a community garden?
Find a community garden near you: https://kccg.org/find-a-garden-near-you
How do I find out who owns a vacant lot?
If you want to find out who owns a vacant lot, a parcel map can help you identify the parcel number, land owner, and more. Many cities have parcel maps online. You can search by address, or If the address is unknown, zoom in on the neighborhood, then click on the parcel to see more information.
- Kansas City, KS - Parcel Viewer
- Kansas City, MO - Parcel Viewer