Chapter 102 — BEEKEEPING

The purpose of this chapter is to allow beekeeping in a manner that is respectful of the safety of persons that may be in close proximity to the apiary. Beekeeping can contribute to pollination, and better harvests in gardens. By contributing to pollination, urban beekeeping is an important complement to urban food production and to the city's Strategic Visioning Goals of 2011. (Ord. 784-C.S., passed 7-17-12)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

APIARY. A place where one or more honeybee colonies are kept.

BEEHIVE. Any structure being used to house a colony of honeybees.

HONEYBEE COLONY. A cluster of honeybees living together as a colony organism.

MOVABLE-FRAME HIVE. Any hive design that allows the beekeeper to readily remove the combs from the hive during hive inspections, in order to monitor and manage conditions within the colony.

SWARMING. The natural method of honeybee colonies to reproduce, resulting in the departure of part of the bee population with a queen to create a new honeybee colony.

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms BEEHIVE and COLONY are used interchangeably. (Ord. 784-C.S., passed 7-17-12)

Beekeeping shall only be permitted as specifically allowed within these regulations.

(Ord. 784-C.S., passed 7-17-12)

(A) It shall be the duty of every person on whose property bees are kept to adhere to good management practices and maintain bees in a condition that will reasonably prevent excessive swarming and overly defensive behavior.

(B) It shall be the responsibility of the person on whose property the bees are kept to provide adequate water for the bees to prevent bees from seeking water in neighboring bird baths, ponds, swimming pools or other community bodies of water.

(C) A maximum of four beehives shall be allowed per lot on a parcel of land less than 10,000 square feet.

(D) An additional beehive is allowable for each additional 2,500 square feet on a parcel of land with an area over 10,000 square feet, up to a limit of eight beehives per parcel.

(E) Beehives are restricted to rear yards; or side yards where the hives are at least 25 feet from the sidewalk, street, or alley, or separated from the front yard by a fence at least six feet high, and in both cases are not visible from the sidewalk, street or alley. Front, rear and side yards are further described in the Eureka Municipal Code, § 155.006 Definitions.

(F) In order to ensure the appropriate height of the honeybee flight path:

(1) The beehive entrance shall be situated behind a solid fence or hedge that is six feet in height running parallel to the property line of any such neighboring property; or

(2) A beehive will be located a minimum of 25 feet away from the neighboring property line.

(G) Colonies are only to be kept in a movable-frame hive.

(Ord. 784-C.S., passed 7-17-12)

A beekeeping permit is required prior to establishment of an apiary, as follows:

(A) The applicant shall submit and the Animal Control Officer shall review plans demonstrating compliance with the standards of § 102.004. Plans shall be accompanied by a fee of $25, or as adjusted by the city’s annually adopted Fee Schedule. Each beekeeping permit shall be issued for a five-year period.

(B) The Animal Control Officer shall cause a notice to be given to all households that reside at property that abuts the property of the proposed apiary. Notice shall state that the beekeeping permit will be approved by the Animal Control Officer unless an appeal is received from one of the neighbors within 30 days of the notice. The notice shall include the property address were the apiary is proposed to be established.

(C) Within 30 days of receipt of an appeal, the beekeeping permit shall be set for hearing with the City Council. The City Council may approve the permit if it is consistent with the standards of § 102.004; may approve with conditions of approval to ensure the health and safety of neighbors; or deny the beekeeping permit if it does not meet the standards or is unsafe for neighbors.

(Ord. 784-C.S., passed 7-17-12)