Bill > SF494

This bill, known as the "Freedom to Garden Act", establishes comprehensive protections for residential gardening in Iowa by preventing state agencies and local governments from regulating or prohibiting individuals' rights to grow and sell food from their own residential gardens. The bill defines key terms such as "residential garden" (a plot of ground attached to a residential property where food is grown primarily for the property owner's benefit) and "garden food" (vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers, and other edible plants), and articulates two fundamental principles: individuals have an inherent right to grow and consume food of their own choosing, and to market garden food they have harvested, as long as they represent the food fairly and do not violate property rights. While prohibiting most regulations that would restrict residential gardening, the bill does include several exceptions, such as preventing gardens that involve controlled substances, pose public health risks, create nuisances, or interfere with traffic safety. The legislation applies to counties and cities, explicitly preventing them from creating ordinances that would prohibit residential gardening or the marketing of garden-grown food, thereby ensuring statewide protection for individuals' gardening activities. Ultimately, the bill aims to promote sustainable food production and individual autonomy in growing and selling homegrown produce.

Government Affairs

Local Government (S)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF494