Bill > HB1772

This bill establishes legal protections for vegetable gardens in Arkansas by adding a new section to the state's legal code. The bill defines a "vegetable garden" as a plot of ground or elevated soil bed on residential property used to cultivate vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers, pollinator plants, leafy greens, or other edible plants. The legislation explicitly states that the General Assembly intends to encourage and protect sustainable cultivation of vegetables and fruits, particularly on residential properties for personal consumption or noncommercial sharing. Importantly, the bill prevents counties, municipalities, and other local political subdivisions from adopting ordinances that completely prohibit vegetable gardens on residential properties. However, local governments are still permitted to create reasonable regulations regarding vegetable gardens, such as managing water usage during droughts, controlling fertilizer use, managing invasive species and weeds, and establishing guidelines about garden size and location (like limiting gardens to side or back yards). This bill essentially ensures that homeowners have the right to grow their own food on their property, while still allowing local authorities to maintain some regulatory oversight.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1772&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R