§ 8107-2

The keeping of animals as a principal use (e.g., animal husbandry/keeping) or accessory use (e.g., pet animals) shall be permitted in accordance with this Section and the requirements of other pertinent Sections of this Chapter, particularly Articles 5 and 6. The purpose of this Section is to establish animal density standards to regulate the keeping of animals for such purposes as "animal husbandry," "animal keeping" and as "pet animals" in a manner that will not endanger the health, peace, and safety of citizens and environment of Ventura County, and that will assure that animals are kept in safe and sanitary conditions.

(Ord. No. 4639, § 6, 12-17-2024)

8107-2.2 - General standards.

The following health and safety standards shall apply to all animal keeping activities:

All animals shall be fenced, corralled, caged, cooped, penned, or otherwise prevented from exiting the property upon which they are located as indicated in Tables 1 and 2, except during exercise and the movement of animals onto and off of the property.

(Rep./Reen. Ord. 4092—6/27/95)

Except for movement onto and off of the property, animals shall not be kept, maintained, or used in any other way, inside or outside of any structure within the distance set forth in Table 2 of Section 8107-2.5.1 and Section 8107-2.3.7(f) of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4580 § 4, 4-13-2021)

The following additional standards apply:

Where a species of animal is not listed explicitly for animal keeping, the Planning Director, in consultation with appropriate experts, shall make a species equivalency determination. Similarly, the Planning Director shall have the power to assign the appropriate "animal unit factor" and "the maximum number allowed" to the species in question, based upon such criteria as height, weight, noise, odor, waste production, potential for escape, and impacts upon other animals and humans, etc.

The offspring of animals are allowed and shall not be counted as animal units until they are of weanable or selfsufficient age. For dogs and cats, this age shall be four (4) months. For equines, this age shall be one (1) year. For roosters, this age shall be six (6) months, or when the rooster has full adult plumage, or is capable of crowing. For all other animals, the weanable ages for offspring shall be those ages determined by the Planning Director in consultation with appropriate experts.

(Ord. No. 4580 § 4, 4-13-2021)

Different species of animals may be combined on a given lot not to exceed the total number of animal units allowed on that lot.

Contiguous lots under unified control, either through ownership or by means of a lease, may be combined to meet minimum area requirements for animal keeping, but only for the duration of the common ownership or lease, and only in zones that allow the keeping of animals as a principal use. The keeper of the animals shall

provide written proof to the satisfaction of the Planning Director, that he or she has unified control of the affected parcels and that the animals utilize all of the lots in question.

(Ord. No. 4639, § 6, 12-17-2024)

In addition to the requirements of this Chapter, the keeping of wild animals as pets, for animal husbandry/keeping purposes, or for rehabilitation/recovery projects, shall be subject to approvals by any, and all, other county, state, and federal regulatory agencies as applicable to the species in question.

(Am. Ord. 4123—9/17/96—grammar; Ord. No. 4639, § 6, 12-17-2024)

Any animal that is the offspring of wild and domestic parents shall be regarded as a wild animal, unless otherwise determined by the Planning Director in consultation with appropriate experts.

(Rep./Reen. Ord. 4092—6/27/95)

The purpose of this Section 8107-2.3.7 is to limit the number of roosters that may be kept on a lot to eliminate the potential for a public nuisance, illegal cockfighting and the raising of birds to be used for cockfighting, to prevent the inhumane treatment of birds by those who engage in illegal cockfighting activities and for the protection of health and safety of the residents of Ventura County.

Definitions for all italicized terms in this Section are set forth in Article 2 of this Chapter.

In accordance with Division 4, Chapter 4, Article 9, Sections 4494.1 through 4494.5 of the Ventura County Ordinance Code, the following limits and standards shall apply to the keeping of roosters:

a.

No person shall keep, maintain, control or harbor more than four (4) roosters on any lot at any given time notwithstanding the maximum allowable animal keeping units allowed for a lot as set forth in Table 3 — Allowed Number of Animal Husbandry/Keeping Units of Section 8107-2.5.2. The four-rooster limit shall not apply to the following:

(1)

Commercial poultry ranches whose primary commodity is the production of eggs or meat for sale as permitted by the County;

(2)

Public or private schools as registered with the California Department of Education;

(3)

The County of Ventura;

(4)

Nonprofit humane organization animal facilities; and

(5)

Youth-oriented poultry projects sanctioned by such organizations as Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, or equivalent youth organizations, and legitimate poultry hobbyists who own and breed poultry for exhibition or for sale of offspring in accordance with accepted poultry raising practices, may have up to five (5) roosters of the same breed for a maximum of twenty-five (25) roosters in zone designations allowing roosters in accordance with Table 3 of Section 8107-2.5.2 and the waiver provisions set forth in Section 8107-2.5.5 of this Chapter, and provided that such projects or hobbyist activities are approved in writing by the Ventura County Animal Services Director or any person authorized to act on behalf of Ventura County Animal Services.

b.

No roosters are permitted in the R1 and R2 Zones, the RPD Zone on lots less than one (1) acre, and in all other zone designations with a gross lot area of less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet.

c.

Section 8105-4's "Animal Husbandry, More Animals Than Are Permitted; Animal Keeping Non-Husbandry, More Animals Than Are Permitted; and, Keeping of Animals Accessory to Dwellings, More Animals Than Are Permitted" land use does not apply to the keeping of roosters. The maximum number of roosters allowed on a lot is set forth in Section 8107-2.3.7(a) above.

d.

No person shall maintain or control any rooster by means of a tether attached to an object.

e.

At all times roosters shall be provided: (1) access to water and shelter from the elements (i.e., rain, wind, direct sun, etc.); (2) sufficient room to spread both wings fully and to be able to turn in a complete circle without any impediment and without touching the side of an enclosure; and, (3) clean and sanitary premises that are kept in good repair.

f.

Setback requirements for roosters (forty (40) feet minimum from any dwelling unit, other than the dwelling unit of the property owner or keeper of the roosters) are set forth in Section 8107-2.2.2 of this Chapter.

g.

By March 11, 2019, a property owner or person occupying or leasing the property or the premises of another who maintains, keeps, controls or harbors roosters shall have brought the number of roosters into conformance with the provisions of this Section. Sections 8113-4 and 8113-5.4 of this Chapter do not apply to the keeping of roosters.

(Ord. No. 4580 § 4, 4-13-2021)

Pet animals shall be kept in accordance with the following standards and other applicable standards of this chapter.

The keeping of pet animals is permitted in all base zones, and is allowed in addition to other forms of animal keeping, such as animal husbandry pursuant to Section 8107-2.3.1 of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4639, § 6, 12-17-2024)

The range of pet animal species that may be kept is listed below in Table 1, "Pet Animals" of this Section 81072, but may be expanded by the Planning Director through the equivalency determination process in accordance with Section 8107-2.3.1 of this Chapter.

Pet Animals

1. Inherently dangerous animals may not be kept as pet animals.

2. See Sec. 8107-2.4.6 for the number of additional pet animals allowed as a part of Animal Husbandry/Keeping.

3. The keeping of bees shall be in accordance with Section 8107-2.6.

(Ord. No. 4639, § 6, 12-17-2024)

8107-2.4.3 - Allowed number of pet animal units.

Except as provided in Article 5, no more than a total of 3.00 pet animal units are allowed per principal dwelling unit including all its accessory uses. Occupied spaces in mobilehome parks and multifamily dwellings are allowed no more than 1.00 pet animal unit per mobilehome or dwelling unit.

(Ord. No. 4639, § 6, 12-17-2024)

8107-2.4.4 - Allowed number of security and utility animals.

For security, no more than 1.0 animal unit is allowed per commercial/industrial zoned lot. The animals that are allowed are listed on Table 1 'Pet Animals'. Calculating the number allowed should be done in accordance with 8107-2.4.5. Utility animals such as seeing-eye dogs and similar animals may be kept in addition to the maximum allowed number of animal units.

8107-2.4.5 - Calculating the allowed number of pet animals.

The sum of the individual animal units for a given dwelling unit shall not exceed the total number of animal units allowed pursuant to Sec. 8107-2.4.3. This is demonstrated by the following example:

EXAMPLE

If 3.00 pet animal units are allowed per dwelling unit, the three pet animal units could be composed of four dogs (1.00 unit), four cats (1.00 unit), four rabbits (0.20 unit), 2 chickens (0.20 unit), 2 ducks (0.20 unit), 1 large bird (0.10 unit) and 20 small birds (0.30 unit). This combination would equate to 3.00 pet animal units, while allowing 37 actual animals. If an additional cat (0.25 pet animal unit) were desired, the total number of pet

animal units would rise to 3.25. This would exceed the allowable number of 3.00 pet animal units per dwelling unit.

8107-2.4.6 - Keeping of additional pet animals.

Additional pet animals beyond those permitted pursuant to Sec. 8107-2.4.3 may be kept in accordance with the following standards:

a.

Pet animals in addition to those permitted as pets pursuant to Sec. 8107-2.4.3 may only be kept on lots meeting the 'Minimum Lot Area Required' standard set forth on Table 3 (Sec. 8107-2.5.2).

b.

The total number of additional pet animals that may be kept shall be no more than two times the 'Maximum No. Allowed' identified in Table 1 for a given animal. For example, 4 dogs are allowed as pets. Up to 8 additional dogs would be allowed pursuant to this section.

(Am. Ord. 4123—9/17/96)

(Rep./Reen. Ord. 4092—6/27/95)

c.

The first increment of additional pet animals may only be allowed when the lot in question meets the 'Minimum Lot Area Required' standard for the zone in question as noted on Table 3. The second increment of pet animals may only be allowed when the size of the lot in question is three times its 'Minimum Lot Area Required'. For example, the 'Minimum Lot Area Required' in the R-E zone is 10,000 sq. ft.. An individual would be allowed 4 dogs as pets and an additional 4 dogs on a lot of 10,000 sq. ft. or more. An additional 4 dogs would be allowed on a lot of 30,000 sq. ft. or more.

d.

All animals required to be licensed by other agencies shall be licensed. All dogs and cats authorized by this section shall be licensed and spayed or neutered pursuant to Ventura County Animal Regulation Department.

e.

A Zoning Clearance shall be obtained by the owner of the animals prior to their being allowed on the property.

f.

The 'Animal Unit Factor' for a given animal shall be counted against the total number of allowed animal units permitted for the lot in question pursuant to Table 3. For example, a lot of 20,000 sq. ft. to 24,999 sq. ft. zoned R-O is allowed 3 animals units for Animal Husbandry/Animal Keeping pursuant to Table 3. If a person wished to keep 4 dogs as pets they do not count against this allotment. Pursuant to Sec. 8107-2.4.6, 4 additional pet dogs (each with a .25 animal unit factor) could be allowed but they would count as 1 animal unit against the total allotment of 3 Animal Husbandry/Keeping units.

(Am. Ord. 4123—9/17/96)

(Rep./Reen. Ord. 4092—6/27/95)

Animals, other than those being kept as pets, such as for animal husbandry and animal keeping projects, shall be kept in accordance with the following standards and other applicable standards of this Chapter.

The range of animals allowed for keeping or for husbandry purposes is listed in Table 2 below, entitled "Animal Husbandry/Keeping," with additional specialty animal husbandry listed in Article 5 (e.g., apiculture). This range of allowed animals and their attendant animal unit factors may be expanded through the equivalency determination process pursuant to Section 8107-2.3.1.

Table 2 (See Section 8107-2.5.1) Animal Husbandry/Keeping

(Ord. No. 4580 § 4, 4-13-2021; Ord. No. 4639, § 6, 12-17-2024)

The maximum number of animal units allowed on a given lot(s) is set forth in Table 3, "Allowed Number of Animal Husbandry/Keeping Units." Up to two (2) units of equines may be kept on R-O, R-E, and R-A zoned lots of ten thousand (10,000) to twenty thousand (20,000) square feet if a waiver is obtained pursuant to Section 8111-1.1.2.

TABLE 3

(Section 8107-2.5.2)

ALLOWED NUMBER OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY/KEEPING UNITS

REGULATORY NOTES:

1. Only animals of less than 1.00 animal unit may be allowed on lots less than 20,000 square feet in the RA, RO and RE Zones unless a waiver is obtained pursuant to Section 8111-1.1.2 of this Chapter.

2. No roosters, peafowl, guinea fowl or the like are permitted in the R1 Zone, or on lots less than 20,000 square feet in other zones.

3. No more than two peafowl are permitted on lots less than 1 acre; however, up to four peafowl may be permitted with a waiver pursuant to Section 8111-1.1.2.

4. On lots 20,000 square feet or more in size (except for in the R1 and R2 Zones) or on lots one acre or more in the RPD Zone, no more than four roosters are allowed notwithstanding the maximum allowable animal husbandry/keeping units per lot set forth in Table 3 above.

(Am. Ord. 4123—9/17/96)

(Ord. No. 4580 § 4, 4-13-2021)

The first animal unit is only allowed if the lot in question meets the minimum lot area set forth in Table 3. Additional units may be added based on the size of the lot and the formulas set forth in Table 3. Animal unit and lot size calculations shall be rounded to the nearest one-hundredth. For example, if the one-thousandth value is 5 (.125) or greater, round up the one-hundredth value by 1 (.125 becomes .13). Fractions of animal units may be applied towards the total number of allowed animals on a lot, but they may not be rounded up to whole numbers. This is illustrated in the following two (2) examples.

Example 1

A 3.2 acre lot, zoned R-A, contains 139,392 sq. ft. (3.2 ac. × 43,560 sq. ft./ac.). The allowed number of animal units is calculated by dividing the sq. ft. of the lot by the animal accrual rate (139,392 sq. ft. ÷ 1 unit/10,000 sq. ft. = 13.9392 units) and rounding to the nearest one-hundredth. Therefore, 13.94 animal units are allowed on the lot. These units could allow for example 7 horses and 6 cows (13 units), 1 pig (0.5 unit), and 2 sheep (0.40 unit). Since there are no animal units in Table 2 equaling .04 unit, pursuant to Sec. 8107-2.4.5, pet animals from Table 1 could be added since the subject lot exceeds the minimum lot size. Therefore, 1 medium bird (0.03 unit) and 1 mouse (0.01 unit) could be added, totaling 13.94 units.

Example 2

A 1.29 acre lot, zoned R-E, contains 56,192 sq. ft. (1.29 ac × 43,560 sq. ft./ac.). The allowed number of animal units is calculated by subtracting 25,000 sq. ft. from the lot area, (31,192 sq. ft.), then dividing by the animal unit accrual rate (31,192 sq. ft. ÷ 1/25,000 sq. ft. = 1.23768 units) and then adding 3 units for a total of 4.24768 units. Rounding to the nearest one-hundredth, there would be 4.25 animal units allowed on the lot. These units could allow for example, 2 horses (2.0 units), 2 ostriches (1.0 unit), 1 cow (1.0 unit), and 1 sheep (0.20 unit) totaling 4.20 units. The remaining 0.05 unit is less than any animal listed in Table 2, so pet animals from Table 1 could be added since the lot exceeds the minimum required lot size. Therefore, the remaining 0.05 animal unit could be allowed for 1 medium bird (0.03 unit) and 1 rat (0.02 unit).

(Rep./Reen. Ord. 4092—6/27/95)

Livestock and fowl identified in Table 2 of Section 8107-2.5.1 above, other than roosters (see Section 81072.5.5 below), may be kept in accordance with a waiver pursuant to Section 8111-1.1.2 of this Chapter for a limited period of time on lots where they would not otherwise be allowed because the lot does not meet minimum size requirements or the project would lead to animals in excess of the numbers otherwise allowed; or where a discretionary permit would otherwise be required; provided such animals are kept for youth oriented

projects sanctioned by such organizations as 4-H or Future Farmers of America (FFA) and provided all of the following criteria are met:

a.

The animals shall be kept for no more than one (1) year from the date of approval for keeping unless otherwise specifically set forth in the waiver.

b.

Written concurrence is provided by all abutting residents and abutting landowners surrounding the lot where the animal is to be kept. Said concurrence shall be in a form acceptable to the Planning Director.

c.

The setbacks for the keeping of animals may be waived with the written concurrence of the neighbors possibly impacted by the setback intrusion.

d.

Animals shall be kept in a manner consistent with Section 8107-2.2 et seq. (General standards).

(Ord. No. 4580 § 4, 4-13-2021)

Roosters may be kept for youth-oriented poultry projects, provided such roosters are kept for youth-oriented poultry projects sanctioned by such organizations as 4-H or Future Farmers of America (FFA) or equivalent youth organizations as determined by the Ventura County Animal Services Director and the Planning Director. Roosters may also be kept by legitimate poultry hobbyists, as defined in Article 2 of this Chapter. Roosters may be kept for youth poultry projects and by legitimate poultry hobbyists in the numbers and types as set forth in Section 8107-2.3.7 of this Chapter and in accordance with the setback and containment standards and with the written approval by the Ventura County Animal Services Director as set forth in Sections 8107-2.2.2, 81072.3.7(f), and 8107-2.3.7(a)(5) of this Chapter, provided any necessary waiver of the number of roosters up to twenty-five (25) roosters is obtained pursuant to Section 8111-1.1.2 of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 4580 § 4, 4-13-2021)

8107-2.6 - Apiculture.

The following standards apply to the keeping of bees.

(a)

Definitions. Definitions for all italicized terms in this Section 8107-2.6 et seq. are set forth in Article 2 of this Chapter. If a term used in this section is not defined in Article 2 it shall have the meaning established for such word or phrase in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 29000) of Division 13 of the Food and Agricultural Code as may be amended.

(b)

Agricultural Commissioner Registration Requirement. Every person that is the owner or is in possession of an apiary that is located within the unincorporated area of the county shall register with the Agricultural Commissioner's Office the number of bee colonies in each apiary that is owned by the person, and provide the location of each apiary. Every person required to register under this section shall do so on the first day of January of each year in which they maintain or possess an apiary or within thirty (30) days thereafter, as required in the California Food and Agricultural Code sections 29010—29056, as may be amended.

(c)

Exempt Beekeeping Activities. The following beekeeping activities are exempt from the regulations of this Section 8107-2.6. et seq. Notwithstanding the following, persons conducting exempt beekeeping activities shall still comply with state and federal laws pertaining to apiculture, and shall register annually each beehive with the Agricultural Commissioner's Office pursuant to Section 8107-2.6(b), above.

(1)

Keeping of bees within an educational institution for study or observation, or within a physician's office or laboratory for medical research, treatment, or other scientific purposes.

(2)

In addition to the maximum number of beehives allowed pursuant to Section 8107-2.6.2(d), below, one (1) additional beehive may be brought onto a property for a maximum of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days for the purposes of swarm prevention.

(d)

Prohibited Beekeeping Activities.

(1)

Beekeeping is prohibited in mobile home and recreational vehicle parks, all commercial and industrial zones, and the R2, RHD, and R/MU Zones. Beekeeping is also prohibited in the RES Zone when there are two-family or multifamily dwellings on the property.

(2)

No person shall own or operate an apiary that has Africanized honeybees and/or bees that exhibit aggressive bee behavior, contains apiary pests, or is an abandoned apiary, as determined by the Agricultural Commissioner. Africanized honeybees are considered inherently dangerous animals (insects).

(3)

Beehives and beekeeping appurtenances shall not be located on a roof of a structure unless the roof is a permitted roof-top deck and/or is an area that is designed and permitted to be walked upon.

(e)

Nuisance Abatement. Failure to comply with the following nuisance abatement procedures will result in formal enforcement procedures as set forth in Section 8107-2.6(f).

(1)

If a bee colony exhibits aggressive bee behavior in a beehive on a property or in/on a structure and has been determined by the Agricultural Commissioner to be a public nuisance, the property owner and/or the beekeeper of the bee colony shall abate and remove the bee colony in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

(2)

Bee colonies determined by the Agricultural Commissioner to be neglected or abandoned, and/or are not maintained in accordance with the regulations of this Section 8107-2.6 et seq. are a public nuisance. The property owner and/or the beekeeper of the bee colony shall immediately remove the bee colony or abate the nuisance by immediately complying with the regulations of this section in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

(f)

Violation, Enforcement Procedures and Penalties. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 8107-2.6 et seq. may result in the issuance of a Notice of Violation and/or commencement of Civil Administrative Penalties in accordance with Article 14 of this Chapter, and/or criminal prosecution of a misdemeanor/infraction pursuant to Section 13-1 (Enforcement) of the Ventura County Ordinance Code.

(Ord. No. 4606, § 4, 11-1-2022)

In addition to the beekeeping standards in Section 8107-2.6 above, beekeeping that is not backyard beekeeping pursuant to Section 8107-2.6.2 and as defined in Article 2 of this Chapter shall be operated in accordance with the following standards:

(a)

This type of beekeeping is only allowed in the OS, AE, RA, and TP Zones.

(b)

Occupied apiaries shall be located or maintained a safe distance from an urbanized area. For the purpose of this section, an urbanized area is defined as an area containing three (3) or more dwelling units per acre. A "safe distance" shall be determined after investigation by the Agricultural Commissioner and shall be consistent with Section 8107-2.6.1(c) below. Decisions of the Agricultural Commissioner may be appealed pursuant to Section 8111-7.2(c) of this Chapter.

(c)

Unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Agricultural Commissioner, no occupied apiary shall be located or maintained within:

(1)

Four hundred (400) feet of any off-site dwelling,

(2)

Fifty (50) feet of any property line common to other property except that it may be adjoining the property line when such other property contains an apiary, or upon mutual agreement for such location with the adjoining property owner, and

(3)

One hundred fifty (150) feet of any public road, street, or highway.

(d)

Adequate available and suitable water supplies shall be maintained on the property near the apiary at all times.

(Ord. No. 4606, § 4, 11-1-2022)

In addition to the beekeeping standards in Section 8107-2.6 above, backyard beekeeping shall be operated in accordance with the following standards:

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish regulations for hobbyist beekeeping activities that are accessory to a single-family dwelling. Naturally occurring and uncontrolled beehives that have colonized on a residential property for less than thirty (30) calendar days are not subject to the provisions of this Section 81072.6.2.

(b)

Prohibited Activities. In addition to the prohibited beekeeping activities listed in Section 8107-2.6(d) above, no person shall keep, maintain, possess, or control any apiary in or upon any premises on lots less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet in total gross lot area, except as exempted pursuant to Section 8107-2.6(c) above. Backyard beekeeping is limited to a maximum of four (4) beehives pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 8107-2.6.2(d) below.

(c)

Development Standards. Unless an activity is exempt pursuant to Section 8107-2.6(c) above, all backyard beekeeping shall be operated in accordance with the following standards:

(1)

Beehive entrances shall face away from, or parallel to, the nearest lot line adjacent to another and shall face away from doors and/or windows.

(2)

A beehive shall be sited so the general flight pattern of bees is in a direction that will deter bee contact with humans and animals. A solid wall, fence, or dense vegetation, known as a "beekeeping flyaway barrier," shall be located along the side of the beehive that contains the entrance to the hive, such that the bees are forced to fly to an elevation of at least six (6) feet above ground level to exit and enter the beehive. A backyard flyaway

barrier that consists of a wall or fence shall be no less than six (6) feet in height and no taller than seven (7) feet. The backyard flyaway barrier shall be located a maximum of five (5) feet from the beehive and shall extend at least two (2) feet on either side of the hive. For the purposes of this Section 8107-2.6.2(c)(2), dense vegetation means trees or shrubs that are vigorous, compact, thick, and are at least six (6) feet in height (e.g., tall hedge) prior to or at the time the beehive(s) are on the property. Property line fences do not constitute beekeeping flyaway barriers.

==> picture [210 x 169] intentionally omitted <==

Example of a Beekeeping Flyaway Barrier

In lieu of a minimum six-foot-tall beekeeping flyaway barrier, beehives shall be located:

i.

At least one hundred (100) feet from any off-site dwelling at all times, unless a more restrictive setback standard is required by Section 8107-2.6.2(d), below; or

ii.

On a structure that is a minimum of eight (8) feet above ground level, provided that the beehive(s) are not located on a roof as set forth in Section 8107-2.6(d)(3) above, measured from the lowest adjacent ground level parallel to and within five (5) feet of the structure. Such structure shall comply with the most restrictive setback requirements as set forth in Sections 8106-1.1, or 8107-2.6.2(d) below. A Zoning Clearance is required for the construction of any structure over seven (7) feet tall to house beehive(s).

(d)

Schedule of Specific Development Standards. The development standards set forth in the table below apply to all backyard beekeeping activities.

(e)

Beekeeping Education Course. Beekeepers shall complete an education course on beekeeping approved by the Agricultural Commissioner's Office prior to establishing an apiary on the property. A copy of the current registration and evidence of completion of the education course shall be provided to the County upon request.

(f)

Backyard Beekeeping Best Management Practices.

(1)

Beekeepers shall maintain compliance with all of the standards set forth in this section.

(2)

A beehive shall be maintained through the provision of adequate space, and pest and disease control.

(3)

Adequate and accessible forage habitat to feed and nourish bees shall be readily available. If necessary, the beekeeper shall provide supplemental nourishment to the beehive(s) to prevent starvation during times of reduced nectar production.

(4)

Beehives shall be re-queened following any swarming or aggressive bee behavior.

(5)

Each beehive, and all bees therein, shall at all times be under the control of the property owner on which the beehive is located or the beekeeper thereof, and shall not be a public nuisance.

(6)

An adequate and accessible supply of fresh water shall be available at all times, including prior to introduction of a beehive to a new location. If the property on which the apiary is located does not contain sufficient natural water, the beekeeper shall provide one (1) or more water containers or water sources within two (2) feet of the beehive. The water supply shall provide landing sites for the bees to drink without drowning, undue competition, or overcrowding.

(7)

Beekeepers shall inspect each beehive at least once a month to detect aggressive bee behavior and/or apiary pests in order to take corrective action(s) in a timely manner. Beekeepers shall practice swarm prevention techniques and provide additional space for beehive growth to minimize bee swarming.

(8)

Beekeepers shall post identification and contact information in a prominently visible location on each beehive, including the name and phone number of the beekeeper.

(9)

Beekeepers shall always have a shovel and an operable water hose or fire extinguisher available on the property for suppression of any accidental fire.

(10)

Bee smokers shall contain a noncombustible container with a secure lid and be equipped with a fire-resistant smoker plug to prevent embers from escaping.

(Ord. No. 4606, § 4, 11-1-2022)

The following standards apply to vermiculture operations:

a.

Vermiculture operations shall only be allowed on lots of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or larger.

b.

No worm beds, feedstock, bedding material, worm castings or similar related materials associated with the operation shall be located within one hundred (100) feet of a dwelling on a neighboring property.

c.

The area used for worm beds, feedstock, bedding material, castings, and related materials shall not, in the aggregate, exceed six (6) feet in height. If a discretionary permit is issued pursuant to Section 8105-4 of this Chapter, these standards may be exceeded. The standards set forth in Section 8107-36.4.1 of this Chapter shall apply to all such vermiculture operations in excess of five thousand (5,000) square feet of open beds.

d.

The volume of raw or composted feedstock and the bedding materials shall not exceed that which is reasonably necessary to the production of the worms raised on the site.

e.

Prior to the issuance of a Zoning Clearance for any vermiculture operation, a "stockpile management plan" shall be approved by the Environmental Health Division. The vermiculture operation shall only be conducted in conformance with the approved plan and the limitations set forth in this Section.

(Rep./Reen. Ord. 4092—6/27/95; Am. Ord. 4214—10/24/00; Ord. No. 4639, § 6, 12-17-2024)

8107-3 - Auto, boat, and trailer sales lots.

New and used automobile, motorhome, trailer and boat sales yards are subject to the following conditions:

8107-3.1 - No repair or reconditioning of automobiles, trailers or boats shall be permitted unless such work is accessory to the principal retail use and is done entirely within an enclosed building; 8107-3.2 - Except for required landscaping, the entire open area of the premises shall be surfaced pursuant to Section 8108-5.9.

(Ord. No. 4407, § 5, 10-20-2009)