City Code Section
- A. Maximum Number of Hives. Up to four (4) hives may be kept on any lot. Up to six (6) hives may be kept on lots 10,000 square feet and greater. During the months of April through August an additional three (3) hives may be kept to accommodate the formation of additional hives through the splitting of existing hives or collection of swarms. There is no maximum number of hives on lots that allow agricultural uses through Title 33: Zoning, or that have an approved conditional use.
- B. Maintenance. All hives must be kept in sound and usable condition with adequate space and management techniques to prevent overcrowding and swarming.
- C. Water. There must be a convenient source of water available to the bees at all times during the months of March through October.
- D. Flyaway barrier. Hives must meet one of the following standards that direct bees to fly at an elevation of at least 6 feet above ground level as they leave the property where their hives are located.
- 1. A flyaway barrier at least 6 feet in height consisting of a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation or combination thereof established and maintained parallel to the lot line and extends 10 feet beyond the hives in each direction; or
- 2. The hives are located at least 10 feet above ground level; or
- 3. Neighboring structures or vegetation create a flyaway barrier that direct bees to fly at an elevation of at least 6 feet above ground level as they leave the property where their hives are located.
- E. Setbacks.
- 1. Hives must be located at least 3 feet from all property lines.
- 2. Hives must be located at least 15 feet from public walkways and streets and any public outdoor spaces used for, but not limited to, seating, playgrounds and recreational fields.
- 3. On lots with more than one residential unit, hives must be located at least 15 feet from the walls of all residential units and any outdoor spaces used for, but not limited to, seating, playgrounds and recreational fields.
- F.Other development standards. If applicable, all structures must comply with the City’s building code and must be consistent with the requirements of any applicable zoning code, condition of approval of a land use decision or other land use regulation.