Torrance Municipal Code Art. 10 Keeping of Bees

As used in this Article, the following words, terms and phrases will have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section.

a) "Apiary" means the assembly of one (1) or more colonies of bees at a single location.

b) "Bee" means any stage of the common domestic honey bee, Apis mellifera species. Africanized honey bees shall be prohibited.

c) "Beekeeper" means a person who owns or has charge of one (1) or more colonies of bees.

d) "Colony" means one (1) hive and its contents and appurtenances, including bees, comb, honey, pollen, brood and appliances.

e) "Hive" means a structure for the housing of a bee colony.

f) "Requeen" means to replace the queen bee in a colony with a younger and more productive queen, a common practice to prevent bee swarming.

a) It is unlawful for any person to keep bees or permit the keeping of bees within the City of Torrance except:

1. The keeping of bees will be permitted on land which is zoned for industrial uses provided:

A) A permit for keeping bees shall first have been issued by the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission, pursuant to reasonable rules for application as may be established by that Commission, and subject to any conditions imposed.

B) The hive in which any such bees are kept shall be no nearer than three hundred (300) feet from any residence except that of the owner or keeper of the bees, and no nearer than one hundred (100) feet from any property line.

2. The keeping of bees will be permitted on land which is used as a single-family residence provided:

A) A special animal permit for keeping bees must first have been issued by the Director of Community Development, pursuant to reasonable rules for application as may be established, and subject to any conditions imposed.

B) The number of hives will be limited to one (1) for every two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet of lot area, and there will be a maximum of no more than two (2) hives per property.

C) The hive must be placed in the rear yard of the property, and no nearer than fifteen (15) feet from the rear property line, and no nearer than ten (10) feet from a side property line, with the hive entrance facing away from adjacent property lines.

D) The maximum size of the hive will be no larger than five (5) cubic feet.

E) The single-family residence must have a six (6) foot tall perimeter solid barrier, that may be vegetative, around the rear yard; or, the hive shall be placed at a minimum of eight (8) feet above ground level of the adjacent lot(s).

F) The hive must be maintained and continually monitored to ensure the bees remain healthy and the colony size remains manageable, to prevent swarming or aggressive behavior.

G) The application must make the property available at all reasonable times for an inspection by the City Manager, or his/her designee, without an inspection warrant to ensure compliance with code and special provisions that may be placed upon the permit.

H) A water source for bees must be provided at all times to discourage bee visitation at other water sources on surrounding property.

I) The applicant(s) must register the hive(s) as required by the California Food and Agricultural Code and the County of Los Angeles. Beekeepers must be registered with the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner.

J) Hives must be requeened at least once every two (2) years to prevent swarming, or following any swarming or aggressive behavior.

K) The hive must be maintained in accordance with the most current best management practices as established by a professional beekeeping organization, such as the Los Angeles County Beekeepers Association or the Beekeepers Association of Southern California.

a) An application for a special animal permit for keeping bees pursuant to Article 11 of this Chapter must be filed with the Community Development Director on a form provided by the Community Development Director with the applicable fee. The form must be fully completed and executed and returned to the Community Development Department. The application must include the following:

1. Complete applicant information including address, telephone number, and e-mail address;

2. Information pertaining to the applicant’s registration status with the County of Los Angeles;

3. Scaled plot plan indicating all site improvements and the location of proposed hive;

4. Details of the hive itself, including dimensions.

If all requirements of this Article are satisfied, the Community Development Director will issue a special animal permit within thirty (30) days of the filing of the application. If a special animal permit is not issued, the Community Development Director will notify the applicant in writing. The notice will set forth the Community Development Director’s reasons for denial and the procedures for an appeal of the Community Development Director’s determination.

Pursuant to Section 41.11.010(a)(8), the determination of the Community Development Director may be appealed to the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission, by any applicant who has been denied, or has been granted a special animal permit with conditions, or any other interested person. The appeal must be made in writing to the City Clerk within fifteen (15) days of the determination of the Community Development Director. The fee for such appeal, which must accompany the appeal, will be the same as for an appeal to the City Council not involving a public hearing, nor advertising. Notice of the time and place of the appeal hearing will be made to the proponent and any person appealing.

a) The Community Development Director may revoke a special animal permit for keeping bees upon notice and hearing for any violation of this Article.

b) Furthermore, at-risk individuals within the specified notification area—two (2) lots or parcels on either side of the subject property and the two (2) lots or parcels nearest behind the subject property—with adequate medical certification of a bee sting allergy may request that hives be removed from a neighbor’s property.

a) Bees or hives shall be considered a public nuisance when any of the following occurs:

1. Colonies of bees exhibit defensive or objectionable behavior, or interfere with the normal use of neighboring properties.

2. Colonies of bees are living in trees, buildings, or any other space except in hives.

3. Colonies of bees swarm.

4. Bees or hives do not conform to Federal, State, or local laws.

5. Hives are abandoned by the resident bees or by the owner.

6. Diseased bees.

b) It is unlawful and declared a public nuisance for any person who violates any provision of this Article. Any person in violation will be subject to civil action and/or criminal prosecution. Each day in which a violation is committed will constitute a new and separate offense. In addition, the maintenance of a hive considered a public nuisance may be abated or summarily abated by the City in any manner by this Code or otherwise by law for the abatement of public nuisances. Pursuant to Government Code Section 38773, all expenses incurred by the City in connection with any action to abate a public nuisance will be chargeable to the persons creating, causing, committing, or maintaining the public nuisance.