(a) Purpose. The regulations of this Section are intended to establish certain requirements of sound beekeeping practices, which are intended to avoid problems that may otherwise be associated with the keeping of bees in populated areas.
(b) Notwithstanding compliance with the various requirements of this section, a beekeeper shall be prohibited from keeping in any colony or colonies in such a manner or of such disposition as to cause any unhealthy condition, interfere with the normal use and enjoyment of human or animal life of others or interfere with the normal use and enjoyment of any public property or property of others.
(c) All honey bee colonies shall be registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Operators (beekeepers) granted a certificate of zoning compliance to operate an apiary must maintain a valid annual apiary registration. Beekeepers must comply with the Ohio Apiary Law as set forth in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 909.
(e) Bees. The keeping of bees, and associated beehives, shall be governed by the following regulations.
(1) Residential Districts. In Residential Districts, the following regulations shall apply:
A. Number. No lot of less than 8,000 square feet shall have more than two (2) colonies. One additional colony is permitted per additional 3,200 square feet with a maximum of six (6) colonies per lot.
B. Location and Setbacks. No beehive shall be kept closer than fifteen (15) feet to any lot line and twenty (20) feet to a dwelling or the permitted placement of a dwelling on another parcel, and no bee hive 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.
C. 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 at least twenty-five (25) feet from all property lines and for beehives that are located on porches or balconies at least ten (10) feet above grade, except if such porch or balcony is located less than five (5) feet from a property line. All fences and hedges shall comply with Section 1183.12 of this Code.
D. 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.
E. Prohibitions. No Africanized bees may be kept on a property under the regulations of this Section.
(2) 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 1,000 square feet of lot area.
(Ord. 1-16. Passed 3-28-16.)
(Ord. 1-16. Passed 3-28-16.)