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 the map

  • Our community gardens map shows all available lots in the city.
  • Review the map and decide what address you want to lease.

See the map

Step 3

Review lot 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