Garden permits for City-owned vacant lots
The City of Rochester supports transforming vacant lots into bountiful community gardens! Whether you are an inexperienced gardener or a true green thumb, the City has free resources and associations with privately-run organizations to help you transform a vacant lot into a beautiful garden.
For questions regarding gardening on a City-owned vacant lot, please email Daisy Algarin at daisy.algarin@cityofrochester.gov.
Annual garden permit
This year marks the start of many new changes to the permit and the application process. The window for turning applications in for the 2025 season runs from January 1st to February 15th. No applications will be accepted after the February 15th deadline.
Please read through the application carefully. The terms and the guidelines have been greatly expanded and hold many changes to the expectations on the use of City land, how we will handle notifications, the length of the season itself, and much other important information.
Download annual garden permit application
5-year garden permit
For organizations that have completed three growing seasons on a City-owned vacant lot:
Selecting a City vacant lot
Finding a lot has been made much easier with the City’s GIS map applications, which show what land is available for which to pull a permit. Look for a vacant lot first using Vacant Land Management and select only green lots outlined in blue. Take those addresses to ‘City Owned Real Estate’ to see their availability; permits can be issued for blue lots only.
Water credit program
The City will apply a credit to the water account of a neighbor who supplies water to a community garden.
Flower City Flourishing Garden Contest
Flower City Flourishing will take place July 21-25, 2025. This contest is for any gardens holding a City garden permit, or community gardens on private land that provide free food or flowers to pantries or the public. Gardens designed or maintained by landscape professionals may not enter the contest. Register by filling out our form (button below), and return it by July 17, 2025, electronically (online form forthcoming), or by mail to:
Garden Contest
Rochester City Hall, Room 223B
30 Church Street
Rochester, NY 14614
Flower City Flourishing Garden Contest 2025 form
Flower City Flourishing Reception
We will have a small reception and acknowledgment ceremony for the 2025 winners. Date and venue are to be announced.
More resources
- For soil testing, garden pest identification, and general garden information, the Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension is very helpful and their website has volumes of information. Click here to visit their website. Check out their classes on all aspects of horticulture and food preservation. Master Gardeners can be reached by emailing the Gardening Helpline or by calling 585-753-2555.
- Taproot Collective is dedicated to bringing up the next generation to love gardening and spreading the good news of growing your own, be it flowers, food, or both! They offer help in the form of garden design, and connecting garden volunteers with community gardens. They can be reached at info@taprootcollective.org.
- Blocks In Bloom is a beautification program established by Cornell Cooperative Extension-Monroe County for lower-resourced neighborhoods; a minimum of six homes must be pulled in to participate. For information, email Ashly Piedmont at Cornell Cooperative Extension.
- For tools, the SouthEast Area Coalition (SEAC) operates a Tool Shed at 1255 University Ave. For more information email SEAC or call 271-TOOL (8665).
- The Rochester Central Library and City Branch Libraries offer gardening books and periodicals. Gardening programs are offered in the spring, summer, and fall. For more information about our gardening programs, visit the Rochester Public Library Program Calendar or email Renée Kendrot.