Garden lease application process

You must follow these steps when applying for a garden lease.

Overview

We explain the steps to follow to apply for a lease for either a:

  • Community garden
  • Market garden

See steps to apply

Approval process

  • The City will let you know if your request is approved or not.
  • The approval process usually takes 10 to 14 days.
  • If you are approved, we will send you instructions about next steps.
People working in community garden

Steps to apply

Step 1

Know your terms

See community and market garden definitions

Step 2

Review available lots

  • Decide what address you want to lease by reviewing the available lots. You can see a list of all available lots in the garden lease request form. 
  • You can refer to the community gardens map to see more details about each lot. The map is out of date regarding lot availability, but you can use the map for information on:
    • Lot location
    • Lot size
    • Soil tests
    • Category

See the map

See the request form in English

See the request form in Spanish

Step 3

Review lease details

See what types of lots we lease and for how long.

See garden lot details

Step 4

Get a sponsor

This step only applies to community garden applicants.

Your sponsor

  • Will sign the garden lease
  • May pay for your liability insurance

Common sponsors

  • Neighborhood organizations
  • Local nonprofit organizations

Contact your neighborhood organization

Step 5

Submit garden request form

The first time you lease a lot, you must complete and submit a garden request form.

If you want to renew a lease, simply send us an email.

Send us an email

  • The City will let you know if your request is approved or not.
  • If you are approved, we will send you instructions about:
    • How to inform neighbors
    • How to register as a bidder with the City
    • Insurance requirements
    • How to submit a site plan
    • Fees

Lease requirements

Complete these steps only if we approve your lease application.

Register as a bidder with the City

Submit a garden site plan

You must draft and submit a garden site plan that complies with:

Contact us for help with a garden site plan

Get insurance

  • Provide proof of liability insurance
    • $1 million for community gardens
    • $2 million for market gardens

Pay fees and sign the lease

  • Pay a $50 administrative fee.
  • Pay the annual lease fee:
    • $1 for community gardens
    • $150 for market gardens
  • Sign the City's lease.

Contact us

Garden Lease

Homegrown Minneapolis

Email Garden Lease Homegrown Minneapolis

Phone

612-673-3553

Address

City Hall
350 Fifth St. S.
Room 315M
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Office hours

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday