Chapter 25 — BEEKEEPING — Ojai Municipal Code

§ 4-25.01. Purpose.¶

The purpose of this chapter is to provide reasonable regulations for the keeping of bees within the City. The City intends that all beekeeping within the City be conducted in compliance with all State regulations governing bee management and honey production as provided in Division 13 of the California Food and Agriculture Code, Section 29000 et seq. (§ 2, Ord. 864, eff. November 10, 2016)

§ 4-25.02. Beekeeping generally allowed.¶

It is unlawful for any person to keep bees in the City except in a manner in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(§ 2, Ord. 864, eff. November 10, 2016)

§ 4-25.03. Conditions for beekeeping.¶

Each person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, syndicate, estate, trust, business trust, or organization of any kind maintaining one or more colonies of honey bees, apis mellifera, shall comply with all of the following conditions:

(a) Each colony shall be maintained in movable-frame hives.
(b) A water source with an adequate supply of water shall be provided for the bees at all times.
(c) Adequate space shall be maintained in the hive to prevent over-crowding and swarming or aggressive behavior. For purposes of this ordinance, "aggressive bee behavior" shall be defined as more than one bee repeatedly striking, but not necessarily stinging, any person or domestic animal at a distance of 15 feet or more from the front of the hive entrance or a distance of five feet or more from the side or rear of the hive.
(d) Each colony shall be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner and kept in compliance with all State regulations governing bee management and honey production as provided in Division 13 of the California Food and Agriculture Code, Section 29000 et seq. Those regulations are enforced by the County Agricultural Commissioner.
(§ 2, Ord. 864, eff. November 10, 2016)

§ 4-25.04. Number and location of hives.¶

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Ojai Municipal Code, beekeeping shall be permissible in all zoning districts and on all property types in accordance with the following restrictions:

(a) No more than one hive shall be maintained on lots having less than 5,000 square feet in area.
(b) On lots having at least 5,000 but less than 10,000 square feet in area, no more than two hives shall be maintained.
(c) On lots having more than 10,000 square feet in area, no more than one hive shall be maintained for each 5,000 square feet of additional lot area.

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City of Ojai, CA

PUBLIC WELFARE, MORALS, AND CONDUCT

§ 4-25.04

§ 4-25.05

(d) Hives shall not be placed within 20 lineal feet of any public street, sidewalk, or other public thoroughfare.
(e) Hives shall not be placed within five lineal feet of a property line.
(f) Hive entrances shall be directed away from the nearest property line if the hive entrance is closer than 20 lineal feet of a property line.
(§ 2, Ord. 864, eff. November 10, 2016)

§ 4-25.05. Neighbor notification.¶

Upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and before any new hive is installed, a prospective beekeeper shall be required to notify, in writing, all property owners within a 100 lineal-foot-radius of the hive's intended location. (§ 2, Ord. 864, eff. November 10, 2016)

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City of Ojai, CA § 4-26.01

PUBLIC WELFARE, MORALS, AND CONDUCT

§ 4-26.01