indicating the days in which the work was fulfilled and the task performed; in such cases, the gardener may be requested to provide photographic or other evidence of the completion of the task. Independent work hours only apply to the month in which they are earned and may not be \u201cbanked\u201d for the future. As a final alternative, the gardener (whether assigned a full or half plot) may pay a fee of $30 for each Community Day that is missed. Any gardener who, without adequate excuse, fails to fulfill six monthly service expectations in a twelve-month period is subject to removal from the garden. Although independent work or payment of fees may satisfy the monthly service expectation for a particular month, all gardeners must still attend at least half of the scheduled Community Day weekends in each twelve-month period. Any gardener, who, without adequate excuse, fails to attend at least half of the scheduled Community Day weekends in a twelve-month period, or who no longer maintains South Pasadena residency, is subject to removal from the garden.<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\nMutual Respect<\/b><\/h4>\n
26. Gardeners must not take food, plants or materials from other gardeners\u2019 plots.<\/span><\/p>\n27. Gardeners must not water, weed or cultivate other gardeners\u2019 plots without express permission from that plot\u2019s main gardener.<\/span><\/p>\n28. Gardeners must not use abusive or profane language or harass or discriminate against others on any improper basis, , including but not limited to: age, race, religion, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation or ability.<\/span><\/p>\n29. Gardeners\u2019 guests and visitors may enter the garden only if accompanied by the main gardener. Guests and visitors must follow all rules, terms, and conditions stated here.<\/span><\/p>\n30. All children under 18 years must be supervised by a responsible adult.<\/span><\/p>\n31. Alcohol (except where expressly authorized by Garden Leadership for special events), tobacco, and illegal drugs are prohibited in the garden.<\/span><\/p>\n32. Possession of dangerous chemicals, harmful substances, and firearms is prohibited at all times.<\/span><\/p>\n33. <\/span>Pets are not allowed in the garden.<\/span><\/p>\n34. Community events may be held in the garden only with the permission of the Garden Leadership Team.<\/span><\/p>\n35. Gardeners may not collect money or organize raffles without the permission of the Garden Leadership Team.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Safety<\/b><\/h4>\n
36. Please report any accidents or vandalism promptly to a member of the Garden Leadership Team.<\/span><\/p>\n37. In case of fire or other emergency please call 911.<\/span><\/p>\n38. For city services, call <\/span>Lucy Hakobian, Community Services Director, 626-403-7392, <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>lhakobian<\/span>@southpasadenaCA.gov<\/span> or Public Works at 626-403-7240.<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\nConsequences for Violating the Garden Rules<\/b><\/h4>\n
39. Gardeners may be asked to leave the garden for:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- Violating the stated rules<\/span><\/li>\n
- Neglecting to maintain their plot. The chair or co-chair may contact you if your plot appears neglected and you have two weeks to address the issue at hand. If the issue is not remedied, your plot will be reassigned.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Harassment, discrimination, physical or verbal abuse of any party affiliated with the garden.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
40. Removal from the garden will generally follow:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- For the first incident, a documented verbal warning, which may be made in a one-on-one meeting<\/span><\/li>\n
- For the second incident, a final written notice<\/span><\/li>\n
- In the event of a third incident, a gardener will be asked to leave the garden<\/span><\/li>\n
- These steps may not apply if the gardener fails to meet the service expectations described above or if the violation is egregious.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
41. Upon dismissal, dues will not be returned. You may take plants from the plot and the plot is to be left in good condition. If a gardener is dismissed or not renewed based on any of the reasons listed in Paragraph 39, the gardener is ineligible to be placed on the wait list for one year.<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\nAdditional Provisions<\/strong><\/h4>\n(A) TEMPORARY RIGHT TO GARDEN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- Plot<\/span>. You have the temporary right to garden in a plot in the Garden. Your immediate household members may garden with you as your guests. As long as you remain a Gardener in good standing according to these rules and agreement, you may use the Plot for a period of up to <\/span>two<\/span> years within a term. Note: While the usual lease term for plots is two years, gardeners who get a plot later than mid-term will receive priority for the following term. Prior to departure from the garden, gardeners must leave their bed ready for new gardeners.<\/span><\/li>\n
- No Refund<\/span>. You understand that you will not receive a refund or reimbursement for your expenses, or any other payment, if you decide not to garden or if LACGC suspends or terminates your right to garden, even if you have spent a lot of time and money on the garden. You understand that only you and no one else, including your family, has any rights under this Agreement.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Fees<\/span>. When you sign this document, you will pay a fee of $120 per year to use the plot. (If you submitted $60 as an application fee, that fee will go toward the $120 total.) Thereafter, you will pay this annual fee no later than March 31 of each year. You understand that the fee may increase in future years. Any non-payment of fees of more than 30 days risks termination of gardening privileges.<\/span><\/li>\n
- No Transfers. Only you and your immediate family (in your presence) and officially designated sharing partners can garden in your assigned plot. Gardeners may not transfer their plot to anyone.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
(B) LIABILITY WAIVER, RELEASE, INDEMNIFICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- You understand that participating in the Garden has a risk of death or injury to yourself or your guest and damage to your personal property. The risks could be caused by you, other gardeners, volunteers, the LACGC, the City of South Pasadena, or the owner of the property, CalTrans. The risks could also come from the condition of the land where the Garden is located, the equipment and tools available at the Garden, the conduct of others, or the weather or other environmental or local conditions. You also understand that hazardous conditions may exist at the Garden and that other gardeners may be unskilled.<\/span><\/li>\n
- In exchange for your right to participate in gardening and\/or events at the Garden, you agree to take on all risks of harm, even if the potential harm is caused by someone else. In legal terms, you agree to \u201cassume the risk.\u201d You (on behalf of yourself and your next of kin, heirs, and representatives) also agree forever to release from all liability and waive any claim or right you have or may have in the future (including the right to sue or otherwise <\/span>attempt to collect money) against CalTrans, the City of South Pasadena, LACGC, the Garden, or anyone acting on their behalf (collectively referred to as \u201cReleased Parties\u201d) for any losses or damages resulting from death, injury, or property damage, to you, anyone else, or any property, related to the condition of the Garden or related to arising out of your presence in the Garden or your activities or others\u2019 activities in the Garden, other than that caused by a Released Party\u2019s conduct that is reckless, intentional, illegal, or constitutes gross negligence. In legal terms, you \u201cwaive and release all claims\u201d against the Released Parties, and waive any and all rights under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which states: “CERTAIN CLAIMS NOT AFFECTED BY GENERAL RELEASE – A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”<\/span><\/li>\n
- You understand that LACGC and the Garden would not permit you to participate in any events or activities in the Garden without your agreement to this Agreement.<\/span><\/li>\n
- You give up any right to sue or otherwise attempt to collect money from the Released Parties arising out of any first aid, treatment, or medical service, including the lack of such or timing of such, given in connection with your participation in the Garden. You understand that you are not covered by or eligible for any insurance, health care, workers\u2019 compensation, or any other benefits that may be maintained by LACGC or other Released Parties.<\/span><\/li>\n
- You are responsible for any damages or losses suffered by the Released Parties that are caused by you or your guests\u2019 actions. In legal terms, you agree to indemnify and hold the Released Parties harmless, and to defend the Released Parties, from any and all actions, claims, proceedings, damages to persons or property, losses, costs, attorneys\u2019 fees, expenses, errors, omissions, or liabilities arising out of or in connection with your participation in events at the Garden.<\/span><\/li>\n
- You agree to allow the Garden, LACGC, and the City of South Pasadena to use any photographs, interviews, videotapes, film other visual or auditory recordings, or any other medium, including the internet, of you or your guests that the Garden or others may create in connection with you or your guests\u2019 participation in the Garden. You agree that you do not have to inspect or approve the finished project and you are not entitled to any compensation for the finished product.<\/span><\/li>\n
- You understand that this document is written to be as broad and inclusive as legally permitted by the State of California. You agree that if any portion is held invalid or unenforceable, you will continue to be bound by the remaining terms. No oral representations or statements have been made other than in this written form, with regard to the subject matter of this form. Any changes to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by you and the LACGC or its agents.<\/span><\/li>\n
- You understand that this Agreement gives the LACGC, City of South Pasadena or CalTrans the right to enforce certain parts of this Agreement against you. In legal terms, the LACGC, City of South Pasadena, and CalTrans are each an express third-party beneficiary and can enforce Section B of this Agreement.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
(C) TERMINATION OF LEASE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- If South Pasadena or CalTrans terminates the lease for the land where the garden is located, your right to garden will end. The City of South Pasadena or CalTrans can terminate the lease at any time. LACGC will notify you if the lease is terminated.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Los Angeles Community Garden Council\u00a0 South Pasadena Community Garden\u00a0 Garden Rules and Gardener\u2019s Agreement\u00a0 Updated March 2026 Garden Hours, Maintenance, and Tools Gardeners may access the garden from dawn to dusk year-round. Gardeners are responsible for locking the gate behind them. Combinations are strictly for personal use and must not be shared with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-175","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southpasadenacommunitygarden.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/175","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southpasadenacommunitygarden.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southpasadenacommunitygarden.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southpasadenacommunitygarden.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southpasadenacommunitygarden.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=175"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/southpasadenacommunitygarden.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/175\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":798,"href":"https:\/\/southpasadenacommunitygarden.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/175\/revisions\/798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southpasadenacommunitygarden.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=175"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}