October 9, 2025 | From City of New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL PASSES COVER CROP ORDINANCE SUPPORTING URBAN AGRICULTURE AND SOIL HEALTH
Today, the New Orleans City Council passed a new ordinance sponsored by Councilmember Lesli Harris that recognizes and protects the use of cover crops, a regenerative farming practice that improves soil health, prevents erosion, and reduces the need for chemical herbicides.
The ordinance amends the City Code to include a definition of “cover crops” and exempts them from the City’s existing 10-inch maximum weed height requirement. This change ensures that New Orleans farmers and gardeners using sustainable practices are no longer at risk of being cited for what may appear to be overgrown vegetation but are, in fact, intentionally cultivated plants that benefit the environment.
“Healthy soil means a healthier city,” said District B Councilmember Lesli Harris, who sponsored the legislation. “This ordinance is about supporting the people who are already using their land to make New Orleans more sustainable – our community gardeners, farmers, and neighbors who are growing food and caring for the environment. By recognizing cover crops in our City Code, we’re not only protecting their work, we’re advancing our shared goal of a greener, more resilient New Orleans.”
Cover crops are cultivated plants seasonally planted to slow erosion, improve soil health and fertility, enhance water availability, smother weeds, help control pests and diseases, and increase biodiversity. They are a foundational part of regenerative agriculture already used locally by many urban farmers and gardeners to build healthy soils and more resilient food systems.
“Urban agriculture is a key part of how New Orleans builds sustainability from the ground up,” said Greg Nichols, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer and Director of the Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS). “By recognizing cover crops in our City Code, we’re making it easier for growers to use practices that protect soil, manage stormwater, and support a healthier environment. This is one of many ways we’re aligning local policies with the sustainable practices already happening in our neighborhoods.”
This change is the result of ongoing collaboration through the Urban Agriculture Working Group, a coalition of local organizations and City representatives convened by ORS. The Working Group and the City’s first ever Urban Agriculture Liaison, Grace Treffinger, have been instrumental in identifying policy barriers, coordinating training with the Department of Code Enforcement, and supporting community education around soil health and sustainable land management.
“More cover cropping means more stormwater absorption, less flooding, and more food for our city,” said Dimitri Celis, Program Director of Recirculating Farms. “Thank you, Councilmember Harris, for keeping your word and sponsoring this ordinance. And a big thanks to Grace and the whole team at ORS for working with us on this issue!”
Urban agriculture plays an essential role in New Orleans’ broader climate and sustainability goals. Healthy, living soils store carbon, manage stormwater, and support access to fresh food. By recognizing and supporting cover cropping, the City of New Orleans is reinforcing its commitment to practical, community-based climate solutions that improve both environmental and public health outcomes.
About the Office of Resilience & Sustainability
The Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS) leads the City of New Orleans’ efforts to build a more sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient future. ORS oversees programs focused on energy efficiency, multimodal transportation, climate action, urban agriculture, waste reduction, and green infrastructure, working with City departments and community partners to improve quality of life and environmental health for all residents.