Farmers market permitting costs will be dramatically reduced under a new farmers market ordinance recently approved by the Seattle City Council. The ordinance, spearheaded by the Office of Economic Development with collaboration from other city departments, will reduce fees for street closures and used of parks as well as streamline the permit application process.

Under the new rules, permit fees for a year-round market utilizing a street closure will drop from $8,312 to $251 per year. In 2008, Seattleites spent more than $10 million at neighborhood farmers markets. With the addition of two new farmers markets in 2009, Seattle shoppers now support 14 markets all over the city, ensuring that fresh, local, and seasonal produce is never far away.

• View OED’s presentation to the Seattle City Council on the farmers market ordinance (Council Bill 116612 on Seattle Channel)
• Learn how the ordinance helped the Queen Anne Farmers Market
• Check the end of season date for your neighborhood farmers market