[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Montebello 3-22-2018 by L.L.
No. 1-2018. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Beekeeping is not listed as a permitted use in the Village Code
in any zoning district within the Village of Montebello, whether as
of right or by special permit. Hence, under the Village Code such
is not allowed since any use not mentioned is construed to be precluded.
However, there appears to be increased interest within the Village
to permit beekeeping as a positive benefit given the necessary impact
of bees in pollinating plants, especially given concern for the last
decade that there has been a decline in the naturally occurring bee
population. With this recognition also comes the recognition that
allowing such a use requires the adoption of controls regulating the
activity such that all persons keeping honeybees (Apris mellifera)
must follow same and associated agreed practices to ensure safe, healthy
beekeeping, and to avoid aggressive or objectionable bee behaviors,
and hive placement or bee movement that interferes with pedestrian
and vehicular traffic or persons residing on or adjacent to the hive
premises. Such controls overcrowding and also is intended to avoid
diseased or abandoned hives.
Beekeeping shall be permitted in the ER-80, RR-50, R-35 and
R-25 Zoning Districts by permit to be reviewed and issued by the Building
Inspector or Village Engineer or designee, subject to following the
rules and regulations:
A.
Hive registration. All honeybee colonies shall have their location
and number of hives registered annually with the Village of Montebello
by the beekeeper according to terms and conditions of regulations
set forth herein, and as later established by the Village Board by
resolution, including establishing a fee structure and supplemental
regulations.
B.
Hive type. All honeybee colonies shall be kept in hives with removable
frames, Langstroth type or the equivalent, a maximum of 10 frames
per box, or equivalent, to control total bee density (or five frames
or equivalent for a nucleus colony defined as a hive with a queen
installed at the discretion of the beekeeper to better facilitate
the health and vitality of the entire bee colony), such box to allow
disassembly for complete internal hive inspection at all times, by
the Building Inspector, Village Engineer, Village designee, Department
of Health or the Department of Agriculture, or any governmental agency
with jurisdiction.
C.
Site colony density.
(1)
Irrespective the zoning district, in no event shall hives be kept
on a lot smaller than 20,000 square feet.
(2)
A maximum of two colonies each consisting of no more than five, stacked
hive boxes, each with a maximum of ten Langstroth-type frames or equivalent,
for a total maximum of 100 frames, or equivalent and a nucleus colony,
consisting of a maximum of two stacked hive boxes of five Langstroth
type frames in each, or a total of 110 frames, or equivalent, shall
be permitted on a lot up to 35,000 square feet. Between 35,000 and
up to 45,000 square feet, up to four colonies and two nucleus colonies
shall be permitted. Over 45,000 square feet and up to 80,000 square
feet, up to six colonies and three nucleus colonies shall be permitted.
Above 80,000 square feet, a maximum of eight colonies and four nucleus
colonies shall be permitted. Should a hive swarm, the way bees naturally
indicate that a hive is too small, the beekeeper may add a hive to
accommodate same, or adjust the hives, up to the maximum number of
hives permitted on the subject lot. [Note: overall presumed bee density
shall control, it being understood that the above box density pertains
to the type of hive frames being utilized.]
(3)
The above is intended to control overall colony site density as measured
by total frames (Langstroth type or equivalent). For example, a site
permitted four colonies and two nucleus colonies, shall have no more
than 210 frames, Langstroth type or equivalent (e.g., 2 x 2 x 5 x
10 + 2 x 5 = 210).
D.
Should hives swarm, the beekeeper may add a temporary hive(s) to
accommodate the same. If this exceeds the maximum permitted site density,
the hives must be merged during the permitted year to an allowed density.
(1)
In no event will the overwintering of colonies exceeding the maximum
total allowed be permitted.
(2)
Should the beekeeper use the "artificial swarm method" to prevent
a swarm, meaning the beekeeper adds a temporary hive(s), if such then
exceeded maximum colony density, all splits to prevent swarming must
be merged with existing colonies during the permitted year to return
to the maximum density.
E.
Colony location. All colonies must be located at least 75 feet from
a public sidewalk, alley, street or road, and at least 25 feet from
a side or rear lot line. All colony entrances shall face inward to
the site and away from the nearest adjacent property boundaries. A
dimensioned sketch showing location and other parameters and distances
on the plot shall be included with the application, as more particularly
explained therein.
F.
Control barrier.
(1)
The beekeeper must establish a flyaway barrier adjacent to hives
controlling the bee flight path away from the property. This should
be at least six feet tall and extend 15 feet beyond the colony on
each boundary side. It can be solid, vegetative or any combination
of the two that forces the bee's flight path along the property
line at a height of six feet or more.
(2)
A substantial labeled barrier must also be erected of approximately
four feet in height sufficient to restrict access by people or animals
and to warn people and children from coming in close contact with
the hives without supervision. This barrier can be placed inside or
outside the flyway barrier, but in no event shall it be so close to
the hives that they can be readily reached by a person standing nearby,
outside the barrier, and stretching across the same.
G.
Purchasing and keeping of bees and queens; honeybee genetics and
defensive behavior.
(1)
Beekeepers pursuing the purchase and keeping of bees must be mindful
of honey bee genetics and defensive honeybee behavior. Thus, before
the purchase of bee packages or queen bees, whether to start, replace
or maintain colonies, beekeepers must act responsibly to limit the
spread of Africanized (defensive) and any other undesirable bee genetics.
Accordingly, every effort should be made to utilize bees or queens
from northern apiaries to limit the spread of the Africanized bee
genetics. Applicants should include documentation to verify apiary
origin of mated queens and packaged bees, including the seller's
contact information.
(2)
Any colony of honeybees exhibiting defensive or angry behavior must
be re-queened immediately. The beekeeper will make every effort to
minimize colony disruption after the defensive or angry behavior determination.
The beekeeper will also use good practices to minimize/prevent a defensive
colony swarming.
(3)
All existing and new apiaries will meet the required colony density.
All existing and new colonies will be managed to meet the spirit and
intent of these provisions, in the judgement of the Building Inspector,
Village Engineer or Village designee, who retain the authority to
cancel the beekeeping permit if these standards are not met. In such
an event, if in disagreement, the beekeeper shall have 30 days to
appeal said cancellation to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
H.
Water. Each beekeeper shall ensure that a convenient source (within
colony property area and near the hive or hives) of water is available
to the bees in sufficient quantity as a function of number of hives,
specifically at any time during the year when temperatures are regularly
50° F or higher and the bees are active.
I.
Absence. The beekeeper shall maintain a log on site recording significant
hive activities (such as disease infestation). If the beekeeper does
not reside on the property, or plans to be away, he/she or a knowledgeable
representative shall visit same no less frequently than approximately
weekly during the months of higher bee activity, and approximately
bi-monthly at other times except if specific circumstances necessitate
more frequent attention. The beekeeper shall provide contact information
in case of an emergency. The on-site log shall reflect having met
this regulation, and shall be made available for review by the Village
or any person with authority to inspect the hives.
J.
Use secondary, accessory and incidental to residential use. Irrespective
whether a lot upon which beekeeping is proposed is improved by a dwelling
or not, beekeeping as permitted herein is to be considered secondary,
accessory and incidental to the underlying potential residential use,
as contrasted with a commercial use. Factors to be considered in determining
whether the use is secondary, accessory and incidental, versus commercial,
include the following:
(1)
That processing, bottling, labelling, shipping, or sale on site shall
be limited to the product of the bees on site. Honey produced off-site
shall not be brought on site.
(2)
The hive limits, among other purposes, are intended to limit on-site
production of honey to an amount sufficient to supply the needs of
the beekeeper, family and friends, and an incidental sales, but not
to represent a commercially viable quantity.
(3)
That persons coming on-site to view the beekeeping activity are primarily
limited to family and guests, and shall not include tours by strangers,
such as persons invited by advertisement, nor shall an admission fee
be required for such purpose.
(4)
It is not intended that this use generate significant foot or vehicular
traffic representative of a commercial operation, versus a personal,
accessory, hobby level useage.
(5)
That the site is not advertised as a commercial site accessible to
persons responding to such advertisement.
K.
Inspection. The Village of Montebello, or its designee, and/or the
Rockland County Health Department or the Town of Ramapo Police Department
or any governmental agency with a need relevant to its jurisdiction,
shall have the right to inspect the beehives at any time, with 24
hours' notice if practicable. However, in an emergency, notice
shall be given to the extent practicable in the circumstance in the
judgment of the Village, the Health Department or the Police Department,
or agency. Failure to maintain the colony in a safe and secure manner
can lead to revocation of the permit and/or a shutdown order, including
hive removal at the owner's expense by or on behalf of the Village,
which may be appealed within 30 days to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
