District of Columbia Code
Subchapter I - General
§ 48–401. Definitions

For the purposes of this subchapter, the term:
(1) "Department" means the Department of Energy and Environment".
(2) "Horticultural techniques" means the scientific, artistic, and technological methods used to cultivate and manage an agricultural space, such as growing from the ground, hydroponics, container farming, vertical farming, or growing in greenhouses or raised beds.
(3) "Produce" means any substance produced for human consumption and nourishment using horticultural techniques, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, mushrooms, honey, herbs, nuts, seeds, and rootstock.
(3A) "Substantially free of contamination" means that the levels of arsenic, lead, and heavy metals in the soil fall within the acceptable parts per million range identified in regulations promulgated by the Mayor.
(4) "Urban farm" means any property in the District of Columbia that is used for the growing, cultivating, processing, and distributing of crops for profit, not for profit, or for educational purposes. The term "urban farm" shall not include backyard or community gardens.
(5) "Vacant land" means land located in the District of Columbia that:
(A) Consists of at least 2,500 contiguous square feet of unimproved land; and
(B) Is not the subject of a pending agreement for development or sale.
(Feb. 28, 1987, D.C. Law 6-210, § 2, 34 DCR 699; Apr. 30, 2015, D.C. Law 20-248, § 101(a), 62 DCR 1504; Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-257, § 2(a), 64 DCR 2049; Sept. 11, 2019, D.C. Law 23-16, § 6093, 66 DCR 8621; Apr. 16, 2020, D.C. Law 23-80, § 2(a), 67 DCR 2494; Nov. 13, 2021, D.C. Law 24-45, § 6052(a), 68 DCR 010163.)
1981 Ed., § 33-901.
This section is referenced in § 10-166.01.
The 2015 amendment by D.C. Law 20-248 rewrote this section.
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6052(a) of Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-159, Aug. 23, 2021, 68 DCR 008602).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6093 of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-112, Sept. 4, 2019, 66 DCR 11964).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6093 of Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-91, July 22, 2019, 66 DCR 8497).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of D.C. Law 20-248, § 302, see § 6183 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2015 (D.C. Act 21-127, July 27, 2015, 62 DCR 10201).

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