(A) Location of hives and other enclosures. No person shall locate, construct, reconstruct, alter, maintain or use any hives or other enclosures for the purpose of keeping any bees on any lot or parcel of land within the city limits unless every part of such hive or enclosure is located at least 75 feet from any dwelling located on adjoining property. Any and all hives shall be placed at ground level or securely attached to an anchor or stand. If the hive is securely attached to an anchor or stand, the city may permit the anchor or stand to be permanently attached to a roof surface.
(B) Number of hives or colonies. Up to five hives shall be permitted on a single parcel within the land use planning jurisdiction of the city. The hives or other enclosures shall be at least 15 feet from any adjoining property line. On lots larger than 15,000 square feet, additional hives or other enclosures will be permitted on the basis of one hive or other enclosure for each 5,000 square feet in excess of 15,000 square feet.
(C) Type of bees. This section shall pertain only to honey bees maintained in movable frame hives or enclosures and it does not authorize the presence of hives or enclosures with non-movable frames or feral honeybee colonies (honeybees in trees, sides of houses and the like) which shall be unlawful under this section.
(D) Restrictions on manipulating bees. The hives or colonies or enclosures of bees may not be manipulated between the hours of sunset and sunrise unless the hives or enclosures are being moved to or from another location.
(E) Water source. No person shall establish or maintain any hive or other enclosure for purposes of keeping bees upon any lot within the city limits unless an independent water source is established and continuously maintained for the hive or other enclosure upon the same property on which the hive or other enclosure is located.
(F) The city may require removal of the hive if the owner no longer maintains the hive or if removal is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
(G) For purposes of this section, the term HIVE has the same definition as in G.S. § 106-635(15).
(2005 Code, § 6-1) (Ord. passed 3-4-1985; Ord. 2017-03-01, passed 3-27-2017) Penalty, see §
90.99