Vallejo Municipal Code Ch. 7.38 Beekeeping

It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain bees within the city except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be deemed or construed to prohibit the keeping of bees by an educational or research institution for the purposes of study, observation or other scientific purposes.

(Ord. 637 N.C. (2d) § 2 (part), 1982.)

No person may keep, maintain, or permit the keeping and maintenance of bees, except as follows:

A. Each colony shall be maintained in a separate, movable frame hive, except that double queen or other multiple queen frame hives may be kept so long as the total number of colonies maintained does not exceed that permitted by Section 7.38.030.

B. Colonies and hives shall be kept disease free and well-retained at all times.

C. Colonies shall be requeened following aggressive behavior.

D. Each colony shall be registered with the county agricultural commissioner.

E. A constant and plentiful supply of fresh water shall be kept within ten feet of all hives and colonies at all times.

F. Each colony or hive shall be kept under the control of the owner or keeper, and shall not be allowed to adversely affect the property of another person or to disturb the peace and quiet enjoyment of any other person or persons within the city.

(Ord. 637 N.C. (2d) § 22 (part), 1982.)

All colonies and hives shall be maintained and located in the following manner:

A. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no more than three colonies may be kept, maintained or permitted on any lot or parcel of land except that transient swarms may be temporarily maintained for a period not to exceed forty-five days.

B. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no hives or colonies shall be located within ten feet of any rear or side property line when the adjoining property is occupied or within forty feet of the front property line, which property line for purposes of this subsection shall be defined as the sidewalk boundary line furthest from the street.

C. Variances authorizing exceptions to subsections A and B of this section and thereby allowing additional colonies or modified setback distances may be granted by the zoning administrator upon written request therefor by a beekeeper. The city council may establish a fee for the processing and review of a variance application. Prior to granting a variance the zoning administrator shall:

1. Review the application in light of the applicant's beekeeping expertise, previous complaints concerning the applicant's bees, the physical setting in which the variance activity will occur, as well as such other information as the zoning administrator deems relevant;

2. Submit the application to the county agricultural commissioner and the beekeeping association for their review;

3. Unless the applicant submits written permission for the variance from adjoining property owners within three hundred feet of the applicant's property in the case of variances relating to the number of hives, or the immediately adjacent property owners in the ease of a setback variance, the zoning administrator shall reasonably attempt to notify said persons of the proposed beekeeping variance and establish a period of not less than ten days for receipt of written public comment. Adjoining property owners shall be informed that notice of the zoning administrator's decision shall be sent only to those requesting such information.

The zoning administrator may grant the variance subject to such conditions deemed appropriate under the circumstances applicable. An appeal to the city council of the granting or denial of a variance, or any condition thereof, may be had by filing a written notice of appeal with the city clerk within ten days after notice of the zoning administrator's decision. The city clerk will schedule the hearing on the appeal not less than ten days after receipt of the appeal and shall give notice of the hearing to the applicant, appellant, and those individuals previously noticed by the zoning administrator of the variance application.

(Ord. 637 N.C. (2d) § 2 (part), 1982.)

Each person maintaining or keeping one or more colony or hives of bees in the city shall comply with all state regulations governing bee management and honey production as provided in Division 13 (commencing with Section 29001 et seq.) of the Agricultural Code of the state, and any and all regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(Ord. 637 N.C. (2d) 2 (part), 1982.)