SAN ANTONIO – Changes approved to the city's Unified Development Code allow home gardeners to sell produce from their own homes.
"It allows people to actually grow food in their backyard -- fruits and vegetables -- and sell them, which is a change to our code. We typically in the past have not allowed people to sell goods from their homes," said Rod Sanchez, director of the city's Development Services.
It's a change John Garland, founder of Garland and Daughters, is excited about.
Garland grows, harvests and delivers fresh produce to his customers.
"This is absolutely something that a single mom can do, a family where both folks are working and they're spending a lot of time, a family with kids who are interested in getting outside more," Garland said.
The green change has very little red tape.
Home gardeners who want to sell their produce are not required to pay a fee, secure a permit or have an inspection done by a health inspector.
The code change also deals with Urban Farms, which are gardens planted on empty or abandoned lots.
A gardener looking to sell produce from an Urban Farm must ultimately get approval of the City Council if the farm is in a largely residential area.
It would require a hearing in front of the city's Zoning Commission.
If you're looking to make some extra money selling what you grow from home, Garland recommends you start small.
"Start for your family and your friends, so that you're getting experience and you're getting feedback from your kids and your friends and your neighbors," Garland said.