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No person shall transport a colony of honey bees between sunrise and sunset or cause honey bees to be transported during that time period unless the honey bees are transported in a vehicle with bee-tight screens or other devices that will prevent honey bees from escaping from the vehicle.
The Commissioner may inspect and certify an apiary when requested by the owner or shipper of an apiary, pursuant to Food and Agricultural Code sections 29140 et seq., who requires an exportation certificate to transport an apiary to another state or country. Before the inspection, the person requesting the inspection shall pay the Commissioner the fee the Board of Supervisors has established for the inspection and certification.
No beekeeper shall own or operate an apiary that exhibits undesirable honey bee behavior, contains apiary pests, or is an abandoned apiary, as determined by the Commissioner. Required abatement methods for affected hives may include, but are not limited to, relocation, requeening, destruction, or another method approved by the Commissioner. The Commissioner may conduct inspection(s) and/or request documentation as needed to verify compliance.
The Commissioner may issue administrative citations for any violation of this chapter pursuant to sections 18.101 et seq. of the San Diego County Code of Administrative Ordinances.
Any person who violates section 62.921 of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to Food and Agricultural Code sections 29300-29311. Any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor pursuant to sections 11.116 et seq. of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances.
In addition to the authority granted the Commissioner to abate an infested hive or bee colony under Food and Agricultural Code sections 29200 et seq., the Commissioner may abate a violation of this chapter pursuant to sections 16.201 et seq. of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances.
The Commissioner may utilize any enforcement procedure authorized by San Diego County Code or State law. If the Commissioner abates a nuisance under this chapter, the Commissioner may also institute administrative penalties or criminal prosecution against any person responsible for the public nuisance.