The keeping of bees, and associated beehives, shall be governed by the following regulations:
(a) Residential Districts. In Residential Districts, the following regulations shall apply:
(1) No lot of less than 8,000 square feet shall have any colonies a lot of 8,000 feet or may contain up to two (2) colonies. One additional colony is permitted per additional 3,200 square feet with a maximum of six (6) colonies per lot.
(2) Location and setbacks. No beehive shall be kept closer than fifty (50) feet to any lot line and one hundred (100) feet to a dwelling or the permitted placement of a dwelling on another parcel, and no beehive shall be kept in a front yard or side street yard. The front of any beehive shall face away from the property line of the Residential property closest to the beehive.
(3) Fences and hedges. A solid fence or dense hedge, known as a “flyway barrier,” at least six (6) feet in height, shall be placed along the side of the beehive that contains the entrance to the hive, and shall be located within five (5) feet of the colony and shall extend at least ten (10) feet on either side of the hive. No such flyway barrier shall be required if all beehives are located.
(4) Water supply. A supply of fresh water shall be maintained in a location readily accessible to all bee colonies on the site throughout the day to prevent bees from congregating at neighboring swimming pools or other sources of water on nearby properties.
(5) Prohibitions. No Africanized bees may be kept on a property under the regulations of this Section.
(b) Non-Residential Districts. In zoning districts other than Residential Districts, all regulations applicable in Residential Districts shall apply except that the number of beehives shall be limited to one (1) for each 8,000 square feet of lot area.
(c) Whoever violates any provision of this Chapter, for which another penalty is not already provided, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the Fourth Degree.
(Ord. 4126. Passed 7-10-24.)