[Ord. No. 2017.02, 3-13-2017]
The following definitions shall apply to the keeping of bees
within the City limits:
The assembly of one (1) or more colonies of bees at a single
location.
An aggregate of bees consisting principally of workers, but
having, when perfect, one (1) queen and at times many drones, including
brood, combs, honey and the receptacle inhabited by the bees.
All life stages of the common domestic honey bee, Apis mellifera
species.
[Ord. No. 2017.02, 3-13-2017]
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, a establish, or
maintain any colony, hive or keep any bees in or upon any premises
within the corporate limits of the City unless the bees are kept in
accordance with the provisions of this Article.
[Ord. No. 2017.02, 3-13-2017]
A.
No
person shall establish or maintain any colony, hive or keep any bees
prior to obtaining a beekeeping permit from the City. The permit shall
require the beekeeper to provide the number of colonies or hives in
the apiary, the location of the colonies or hives in the apiary and
to provide notice to adjacent property owners.
B.
No
person shall establish or maintain any colony, hive or keep any bees
on any premises within ten (10) feet of any dwelling or within twenty-five
(25) feet of any property line, sidewalk, alley, or other public way.
No person shall establish or maintain a number of colony or hives
on any premises such as to consitute a nuisance to neighboring property
owners as determined by the Chief of Police or their designee based
on all provisions of this Article.
C.
No
bees shall be kept upon any land not owned or possessed by the keeper
of such bees without first obtaining written permission to do so from
the owner or person lawfully in possession of such land, which permission
may be revoked at any time.
D.
A conspicuous
sign identifying the site as housing bees and warning of danger shall
be posted at entrance and exit points of all apiary enclosures.
[Ord. No. 2017.02, 3-13-2017]
If adjacent property is later developed, or residential structures located closer than the distances prescribed in Section 210.220(B), the keeper shall move such colonies or hives to comply with this Article.
[Ord. No. 2017.02, 3-13-2017]
Fresh, clean water facilities for the bees shall be provided
within twenty-five (25) feet of each colony or hive.
[Ord. No. 2017.02, 3-13-2017]
Whenever the Chief of Police or their designee shall find, and
so declare, that a public health nuisance or emergency exists by reason
of beekeeping within the City limits, or by failure to comply with
the provisions of this Article, the Chief of Police or designee may
order the removal or destruction of any apiary in order to preserve
the public health and welfare.
