Del Rey Oaks Municipal Code Ch. 6.12 Bees

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 290, § 1, adopted Nov. 28, 2017, repealed former Ch. 6.12, §§ 6.12.010, 6.12.020, and enacted a new Ch. 6.12 as set out herein. Former Ch. 6.12 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from prior code §§ 8-950, 8-951.

A. Limitation Generally. No person shall keep any honey bees (Apis millefera) except as specifically authorized in this Section.

B. Permit Required. No person shall keep any honey bees without having first obtained a use permit from the City. Permits required by this Section shall be issued by the City Manager, or their designee, and shall be subject to a fee established by the resolution of the City Council. The permit of any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this Section may be suspended or revoked by the City Manager, or their designee. Any aggrieved person may appeal a suspension or revocation within 15 days of its issuance. Such appeal shall be subject to a fee established by the resolution of the City Council. Neighbor Notification. All neighbors within 200 feet of a proposed location where honey bees are to be kept shall be notified at least 20 days before a permit is issued.

C. Location of Beehives. Beehives shall be located in side or rear yards only, and shall be situated behind solid screening or fencing that is at least six feet in height. Bee keeping shall be considered an accessory use in all zones and beehives shall be considered accessory structures. All current zoning, building, and setback requirements for such structures shall apply to bee keeping and beehives.

D. Water. It shall be the duty of every person owning, controlling, or maintaining bees or a beehive to provide adequate water for the bees to prevent bees from seeking water in neighboring pools, birdbaths, ponds, or other bodies of water.

E. Swarming. It shall be the duty of every person owning, controlling, or maintaining bees or a beehive to maintain them in such a manner so as to prevent the swarming and aggressive behavior of bees.

F. Any person keeping bees or a beehive shall allow City administrative enforcement officers to enter the premises where bees or a beehive is kept to ensure compliance with this Chapter 6.12.

G. Keeping Honey Bees for Commercial Purposes Prohibited. Bees may be kept only for personal use, and no person shall keep any bees for the purpose of commercial activities.

(Ord. No. 290, § 1, 11-28-2017)

Any violation of this Chapter 6.12 shall be deemed a nuisance and may be abated as provided for by law. Violations shall also be subject to administrative, civil, or criminal enforcement.

(Ord. No. 290, § 1, 11-28-2017)