(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly requires a different meaning.
APIARY. The assembly of one or more hives or colonies of bees at a single location.
BEE. The common domestic honeybee, limited to the Apis mellifera species, but specifically excluding the African honeybee, Apis mollifer scutella, Africanized honeybee, or any hybrid thereof.
BEEKEEPER. An individual who keeps bees in a hive which meets state-approved requirements.
BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT. Anything used in the operation of an apiary, such as, but not limited to, hive bodies, supers, frames, top and bottom boards, and extractors.
CITY. The City of Greenfield, Indiana.
COLONY. The entire family or social unit living together, including the queen, workers, and drones.
FLYWAY BARRIERS. Fencing, dense hedging, or a combination of the two which provides a shield from the direction in which bees may fly when approaching or leaving a hive.
HIVE. A frame or structure used or employed as a domicile for bees which meets state requirements, and shall be either a Langstroth hive, a Warre hive, or a top-bar hive.
(B) Registration. Every beekeeper has to register with the Clerk-Treasurer prior to installation of said beekeeper’s initial hive on forms provided by the Clerk-Treasurer at no cost to the registrant. Said registration form shall be renewed with the Clerk- Treasurer every two years after initial registration.
(C) Presumption of violation. Unless conducted in accordance with the provisions set forth below, the keeping and maintaining of bees within the residential districts of the city shall constitute a violation of this section.
(1) The minimum lot size to maintain one colony shall be 7,500 square feet, with an additional 5,000 square feet of lot size for a second hive.
(2) The maximum number of hives permitted per property shall be as follows:
Size of Property
|
Maximum Number
|
Up to 1/4 acre | 2 colonies |
Between 1/4 and up to 1/2 acre | 4 colonies |
More than 1/2 and up to 1 acre | 6 colonies |
1 acre | 8 colonies |
More than 1 acre | additional 5 colonies per additional whole acre |
(3) (a) Queens for colonies must be purchased from licensed breeders or beekeepers.
(b) At all times, the beekeeper must keep a queen active in the colony.
(c) Upon evidence that a colony is aggressive, said colony must be re-queened immediately after the discovery of such evidence.
(4) (a) All colonies shall be situated in a stable apiary, with all component parts, including hive bodies, supers, frames, top and bottom boards, and extractors to be maintained in a stable condition.
(b) Each hive shall have a maximum internal volume of 16 cubic feet.
(5) (a) Apiaries must be located entirely within the property of the owner and cannot be located closer than ten feet to any lot line, at least 25 feet from any dwelling/primary structure on a neighboring property, at least 30 feet from any public right-of- way, and no closer than 100 feet to any school, public park, or playground.
(b) All hives must be located in that portion of the yard behind the existing residence or other primary structure. Hives must have movable frames and have adequate space to prevent overcrowding and swarming. Hives may be located on the ground or on top of a building with a permanent foundation. Hives may not be located inside a dwelling, garage, or any structure, with the exception of school buildings for educational purposes. Hives must at all times be maintained inaccessible to the general public.
(c) All hives shall be located so that hive entrances face away from the property line of the adjacent residential lot closest to the bee hive.
(6) (a) The property on which a colony is located shall be surrounded by a wall, solid fence, dense vegetation, or a combination thereof not less than six feet in height at the time of installation and extending 20 feet on either side of the colony in order to provide a sufficient flyway barrier to keep the bee flight path above normal interaction with nearby residents and with sufficient wind screening.
(b) A flyway barrier of at least six feet in height shall shield any part of a property line that is within 15 feet of a hive.
(c) Said flyway barrier shall be maintained in good repair at all times.
(d) The requirements of division (C)(6)(a) above may be waived if the colony is placed on a balcony or porch at least ten feet off the ground and ten feet from any property line.
(7) (a) All hive operators will provide adequate water supply for bees to discourage bee congregation at off-site water sources such as swimming pools, ponds, and bird baths.
(b) A constant supply of water shall be provided for all hives.
(8) All hive operators shall maintain colonies so as to not cause any unhealthy conditions, interfere with normal use and enjoyment of public property or the property of others.
(9) A sign must be posted on the property warning persons of the apiary’s presence.
(D) Required firebreak. Any person operating a smoker to harvest honey shall maintain a firebreak 30 feet wide in all directions and will maintain basic firefighting materials such as shovels, fire extinguishers, and hoses. The first ten feet shall be free of combustible material and vegetation kept to less than six inches in height.
(E) Right to enter. Nothing in this section shall prohibit members of the Beekeepers Association from entering the city to remove hives or swarms.
(F) Violation. Upon the determination that a violation of this section has occurred, the appropriate representative of the city shall provide to the property owner/beekeeper a notice of violation describing the nature of the violation and allowing the property owner/beekeeper 60 days within which to bring his or her property into compliance. Thereafter, the city reserves the right to take all reasonable actions to remedy any violation of this section, including, but not limited to, the removal or destruction of any hive or colony which poses a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare or creates a public nuisance, or which has been abandoned. In addition, any person found to be in violation of the provisions set forth herein shall be subject to the penalties set forth in § 90.99.
(Ord. 2019-18, passed 11-13-2019; Ord. 2019-25, passed on 5-13-2020) Penalty, see § 90.99