(A) It shall be the duty of every person on whose property bees are kept to adhere to good management practices and maintain bees in a condition that will reasonably prevent excessive swarming and overly defensive behavior.
(B) It shall be the responsibility of the person on whose property the bees are kept to provide adequate water for the bees to prevent bees from seeking water in neighboring bird baths, ponds, swimming pools or other community bodies of water.
(C) A maximum of four beehives shall be allowed per lot on a parcel of land less than 10,000 square feet.
(D) An additional beehive is allowable for each additional 2,500 square feet on a parcel of land with an area over 10,000 square feet, up to a limit of eight beehives per parcel.
(E) Beehives are restricted to rear yards; or side yards where the hives are at least 25 feet from the sidewalk, street, or alley, or separated from the front yard by a fence at least six feet high, and in both cases are not visible from the sidewalk, street or alley. Front, rear and side yards are further described in the Eureka Municipal Code, § 155.006 Definitions.
(F) In order to ensure the appropriate height of the honeybee flight path:
(1) The beehive entrance shall be situated behind a solid fence or hedge that is six feet in height running parallel to the property line of any such neighboring property; or
(2) A beehive will be located a minimum of 25 feet away from the neighboring property line.
(G) Colonies are only to be kept in a movable-frame hive.
(Ord. 784-C.S., passed 7-17-12)