Orange Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 Birds and Bees

No person shall keep bees within the City without first procuring a permit. The Director of Community Development is authorized to issue such permit on payment of a fee in an amount set by City Council resolution. No permit shall be issued to any person who proposes to establish or maintain any hive or box where bees are kept, or otherwise proposes to keep any bees on any premises within 300 feet of any dwelling (except that dwelling of the owner of such bees) or within 100 feet of any exterior boundary of that property on which the hive or box is located. Any person receiving a permit to keep bees shall be required continuously to maintain an adequate water supply in the immediate vicinity of the place where the bees are kept. Within 10 days after a decision by the Director of Community Development, any person may appeal the grant or denial of a permit to the City Council who may reverse, affirm or modify the decision of the Director of Community Development; provided, however, that the City Council shall not grant any such permit unless the Council finds and determines that there will be no adverse effect either on adjacent landowners or the general public.

(Prior code 4124; Ord. 37, 1892; Ord. 17, 1905; Ord. 18-73; Ord. 35-81; Ord. 4-87; Ord. 23-24, 8/13/2024)

All persons who are found to be in violation of Section 6.08.010 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Reasonable notice of such a violation will be given in order that conforming relocation of bees and hives may be obtained. After such time, all bees that are taken into custody as a result of said violation may be destroyed without notice to the owner or custodian thereof.

(Prior code 4125; Ord. 37, 1892; Ord. 87-62; Ord. 18-73; Ord. 1-80)

No person shall shoot any species of wild birds within the City, and no person shall molest or damage the nest or the eggs of any wild birds within the City. However, if the City Council, the Chief of Police or the person charged with animal control shall determine that starlings or other birds have become so numerous in any particular location or area as to be a public nuisance or for any other reason have become a public nuisance or a menace to health or property, said fact may be declared and the birds involved may be destroyed or otherwise controlled.

(Prior code 4126; Ord. 23-66)

The City is designated a wild bird sanctuary and signs bearing the legend "ORANGE IS A WILD BIRD SANCTUARY" shall be placed at appropriate locations at or near the City limits at principal entrances to the City.

(Prior code 4126.1; Ord. 23-66)