(A) No person shall keep or allow the keeping of bees on any property unless a hobby beekeeping permit for the keeping of bees on that property has been issued and remains valid in accordance with the requirements of this article.
(B) Beehives shall only be installed and operated in accordance with all of the following standards:
(1) A beehive may only be located in the rear yard of a property;
(2) A beehive must be at least ten feet from any property line;
(3) A beehive must be at least 20 feet from any public sidewalk, trail, bike path, public right-of-way, recreation areas, parks, picnic grounds, or other areas traveled by members of the public where adverse bee/public interactions may occur, unless located on a business rooftop;
(4) A beehive must not be on property that abuts property where a day care facility or school (unless requested in writing by the school for educational purposes) lawfully exists and operates;
(5) Except for business rooftop beehives, a flight path barrier complying with the following standards must be installed in front of all beehives on a property:
(a) A flight path barrier may only be constructed of manufactured materials (such as lattice, fencing, screening, netting, bee bowers, etc.) or plant materials (hedges, shrubs, or trees) approved by the Office of Planning.
(b) The flight path barrier shall extend sufficiently past the beehives to prevent the bees from flying directly around it. Appropriate barriers shall be located within three to 15 feet from the entrance, shall be a minimum of six feet in height, and a minimum of ten feet in width.
(c) A flight path barrier constructed of manufactured materials shall not exceed ten feet in height. A flight path barrier made of live plant materials that are approved by the city may exceed ten feet in height.
(d) A flight path barrier shall only open toward the principal structure on the property.
(C) A water supply shall be located within ten feet of the beehive(s) at all times throughout the active flight season. The water supply shall not be allowed to dry out during the active flight season. If the water supply is replenished by water from a hose connected to a spigot, the hose must be of sufficient length to reach the water supply for the bees.
(D) Each beekeeper shall ensure that no wax comb or other material that might encourage robbing by other honey bees is left upon the grounds. Such materials once removed from the site shall be handled and stored in sealed containers, or placed within a building or other vermin-proof container.
(E) Honey bee colonies shall be kept in beehives that are sufficiently large to accommodate beehive growth and storage of incoming food resources.
(F) In any instance in which a colony exhibits unusually aggressive characteristics of stinging without provocation or exhibits an unusual disposition to swarm, it shall be the duty of the permit holder to promptly destroy the hive or colony, requeen the colony, or remove the hive from the property.
(G) A beehive, flight path barrier, and all hobby beekeeping practices must comply with all GAAMPs applicable to beekeeping unless this article sets a different standard.
(H) A beehive and its appurtenances must comply with all applicable construction, building, and other codes, and all other governmental laws and regulations, as well as the conditions of any permits, licenses, or other approvals issued for, or governing, the hobby beekeeping operation.
(I) A beehive shall be regularly maintained in a safe, clean, litter-free, and orderly condition.
(J) Inspections of properties upon which a beehive is located may be performed periodically by any of the city departments involved in the initial license review process, or upon receipt of a complaint. Upon receipt of a complaint, any premises for which a permit has been issued or where a beehive exists shall be subject to inspection by Animal Control, the Building Official, Code Enforcement, or the City Planner, or their authorized representatives, for the safety of the honey bees and the public and for compliance with all applicable laws, codes, ordinances, and any conditions imposed by any board or commission. It is unlawful for any permit holder to deny or refuse access to the premises or to hinder the official in any manner in the performance of his or her responsibilities under this article, and such refusal shall constitute sufficient grounds for immediate revocation of the permit granted under this article.
(Ord. No. 496, § 3, 5-21-24)