Allotment Guide

Renting an allotment from City of Lincoln Council

Allotments have their own legislation which dictate how allotments should be used. This page provides a Plain English interpretation of the legislation.

Persistently breaking any of rules mentioned will result in you being sent a Notice to Quit your allotment plot.

Do

  • You can plant herbs and flowers as well as fruit and vegetables
  • If your site has gates, you must always ensure you lock them behind you
  • You can bring your dog on site as long as it’s kept on a lead at all times
  • You can build a pond, as long as it’s built in a way that’s not dangerous to people and animals
  • You can have a small lawned area as long as it’s regularly mown
  • You must erect a clearly visible number board on your plot
  • Fruit trees can be grown but should not exceed 2 metres (we would suggest using a dwarf roof stock)
  • Dwarf fruit trees such as apple and pear trees may  be grown in restricted forms such as espaliers or cordons
  • If you have fruit bushes/ trees etc, you must maintain the area around them
  • You must cultivate and keep free from weeds at least 75 per cent of your plot
  • If there is a shed on the plot you must maintain it in a serviceable and safe condition
  • You must pay your allotment invoice with 40 days of receiving it
  • Always inform the Allotments Officer if you change your address
  • Permit entry to shed/structures for allotment staff at any time requested
  • If you vacate the plot, you must remove all belongings immediately
  • Paths either side of your plot should be maintained and kept to a minimum width of 50cm 500mm)
  • Always inform us if you have any problems
  • You are responsible for maintaining the inside of any hedge adjacent to your plot
  • You are responsible for any hedges or trees within your plot
  • Use water sparingly
  • Compost and recycle as much as you can
  • Get permission from the Allotments Office if you wish to erect structures or if you wish to keep chickens, rabbits or bees on the plot

Don't

  • You are not allowed to sublet your plot or transfer your tenancy
  • You are not allowed to use your plot for any trade or business
  • You are not allowed to bring onto or use carpets on allotment plots
  • You are not allowed to bring rubbish onto the site or store it on your plot
  • You are not allowed to block communal pathways
  • You are not allowed to have smoky bonfires that cause a nuisance or leave fires unattended
  • You must not use a sprinkler system to water crops
  • You are not allowed to stay overnight on your allotment plot
  • You are not allowed to cause a nuisance to other plotholders or neighbouring householders – for example, nuisance could include bad language, threats, getting drunk, playing loud music or racist language 
  • You or your children are not allowed to go onto other peoples plots unless they have given you permission to do so
  • You are not allowed to dig up paths between plot
  • You are not allowed to use any form of harassment or violence on-site, be it physical or verbal
  • You are not allowed to let your dog stray onto or foul on paths or plots
  • You are not allowed to give your key to other people or allow them to visit your plot unsupervised
  • You are not allowed to bring firearms onto allotment sites
  • You are not allowed to keep cockerels, turkeys, pigeons, pigs, sheep, goats or horses on allotment plots
  • You must not bring any harmful objects onto the site, such as, banned chemicals, asbestos, builders rubble, broken glass, scrap metal, tyres and general refuse

Cultivation requirements

  • From the start of your tenancy, you have a three month probationary period in which enforcement for non-cultivation is not applicable.
  • Good cultivation involves a regular level of work with crops planted or ground prepared ready for planting and a virtually weed-free plot.
  • If you have fruit bushes/ trees, the area around them must be maintained to a high standard and not be allowed to become overgrown and covered in weeds.
  • You should not allow your plot to become covered in weeds that seed or spread.
  • If you fail to pay your invoice within 40 days or fail to improve the condition of your plot following enforcement letters being issued, you will be issued with a one-month Notice to Quit.