As used in this article, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this section, unless the context of their usage clearly indicates another meaning:
Apiary
means a place where bee colonies are kept.
Bee
means any stage of the common domestic honey bee, Apis mellifera species.
Colony
means a hive and its equipment and appurtenances, including bees, comb, honey, pollen, and brood.
Director
means the building official.
Hive
means a structure intended for the housing of a bee colony.
Tract
means a contiguous parcel of land under common ownership.
Undeveloped property
means any idle land that is not improved or actually in the process of being improved with residential, commercial, industrial, church, park, school, or governmental facilities or other structures or improvements intended for human use or occupancy and the grounds maintained in association therewith. The term shall be deemed to include property developed exclusively as a street or highway, or property used for commercial agricultural purposes.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B), adopted 10/5/09)
The purpose of this article is to establish certain requirements of sound beekeeping practices, which are intended to avoid problems that may otherwise be associated with the keeping of bees in populated areas, and to require a license to insure compliance. Such license shall be issued annually by the director or his designee. There shall be no fee for such license. Existing apiaries shall be allowed to continue in their present locations and conditions, if registered with the director within sixty (60) days from the date of the passage of this article, unless there is found to be a danger to the public health and safety.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(1), adopted 10/5/09)
Notwithstanding compliance with the various requirements of this article, it shall be unlawful for any beekeeper to keep any colony or colonies in such a manner or of such disposition as to cause any unhealthy condition, interfere with the normal use and enjoyment of human or animal life of others, or interfere with the normal use and enjoyment of any public property or property of others.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(2), adopted 10/5/09)
All bee colonies shall be kept in Langstroth-type hives with removable frames, which shall be kept in sound and usable condition.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(I), adopted 10/5/09)
In each instance in which any colony is situated within twenty-five (25) feet of a public or private property line of the tract upon which the apiary is situated, as measured from the nearest point on the hive to the property line, the beekeeper shall establish and maintain a flyway barrier at least six (6) feet in height consisting of a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation, or combination thereof, that is parallel to the property line and extends ten (10) feet beyond the colony in each direction so that all bees are forced to fly at an elevation of at least six (6) feet above ground level over the property lines in vicinity of the apiary. It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the property adjoining the apiary tract in the vicinity of the apiary is undeveloped property for a distance of at least twenty-five (25) feet from the property line of the apiary tract.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(II), adopted 10/5/09)
Each beekeeper shall ensure that a convenient source of water is available at all times to the bees so that the bees will not congregate at swimming pools, bibcocks, pet watering bowls, birdbaths, or other water sources where they may cause human, bird, or domestic pet contact.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(III), adopted 10/5/09)
Each beekeeper shall ensure that no bee comb or other materials that might encourage robbing are left upon the grounds of the apiary site. Upon their removal from the hive, all such materials shall promptly be disposed of in a sealed container or placed within a building or other bee-proof enclosure.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(IV), adopted 10/5/09)
In any instance in which a colony exhibits unusually aggressive characteristics by stinging or attempting to sting without due provocation, or exhibits an unusual disposition towards swarming, it shall be the duty of the beekeeper to promptly requeen the colony. Queens shall be selected from stock bred for gentleness and nonswarming characteristics.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(V), adopted 10/5/09)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful to keep more than the following numbers of colonies on any tract within the city, based upon the size or configuration of the tract on which the apiary is situated:
(1) 
One-quarter (1/4) acre or less tract size: Four (4) colonies.
(2) 
More than one-quarter (1/4) acre but less than one-half (1/2) acre tract size: Eight (8) colonies.
(3) 
More than one-half (1/2) acre but less than one (1) acre tract size: Twelve (12) colonies.
(4) 
One (1) acre or larger tract size: Sixteen (16) colonies.
(5) 
Regardless of tract size, where all hives are situated at least two hundred (200) feet in any direction from all property lines of the tract on which the apiary is situated, there shall be no limit to the number of colonies.
(6) 
Regardless of tract size, so long as all property other than the tract upon which the hives are situated that is within a radius of at least two hundred (200) feet from the hive remains undeveloped property, there shall be no limit to the number of colonies.
(b) 
For each two (2) colonies authorized under colony densities (subsection (a)), there may be maintained upon the same tract one (1) nucleus colony in a hive structure not exceeding one (1) standard nine and five-eighths inch depth ten-frame hive body with no supers attached as required from time to time for management of swarms. Each such nucleus colony shall be disposed of or combined with an authorized colony within thirty (30) days after the date it is acquired.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(VI), adopted 10/5/09)
(a) 
In apiaries, the name and telephone number shall be branded, painted, or otherwise clearly marked upon the structure of at least two (2) hives and placed at opposite ends of the apiary. Instead of marking the hives, the beekeeper may conspicuously post a sign setting forth the name and telephone number of the beekeeper. It is a defense to prosecution under this subsection that a colony is kept upon the same tract upon which the owner resides.
(b) 
Unless marked in accordance with subsection (a), it shall be presumed, for purposes of this article, that the beekeeper is the person or persons who own or otherwise have the present right of possession and control of the tract upon which a hive or hives are situated. The presumption may be rebutted by a written agreement authorizing another person to maintain the colony or colonies upon the tract setting forth the name, address, and telephone number of the other person who is acting as the beekeeper.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(VII), adopted 10/5/09)
An animal control officer shall enforce the provisions of this article, and he or his representative, upon presentation of proper identification to the owner, agent, or tenant in charge of such apiary, shall have the right to inspect any apiary during all reasonable hours except in cases of an emergency, in which case this limitation shall not apply. Where practicable, prior notice shall be given to the beekeeper if he resides at the apiary or if his name is marked on the hives.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(VIII), adopted 10/5/09)
(a) 
Investigation.
Upon receipt of information that any colony situated within the city is not being kept in compliance with this article, the director shall cause an investigation to be conducted. If he finds that grounds exist to believe that one (1) or more violations have occurred, he shall cause a written complaint affidavit to be issued to the beekeeper.
(b) 
Complaint affidavit.
The complaint affidavit shall set forth the following:
(1) 
The date, time and place at which the hearing will be conducted;
(2) 
The violation(s) alleged;
(3) 
That the beekeeper may appear in person or through counsel, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and request a court reporter; and
(4) 
That the bees may be ordered destroyed or removed from the city if the hearing officer finds that they have been kept in violation of this article. Notices shall be given by certified United States mail or personal delivery. However, if the hearing officer is unable to locate the beekeeper, then the notice may be given by publication one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation at least five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing.
(c) 
Hearing and order.
The hearing shall be conducted by the director or his designee. The burden shall be on the city to demonstrate by a preponderance of credible evidence that the colony or colonies have in fact been kept in violation of this article. If the hearing officer finds that the colony or colonies have been kept in violation of this article, then he may order that the bees be destroyed or removed from the city within a time not to exceed thirty (30) days, and that bees not thereafter be kept upon the tract for a period of two (2) years. In instances where the hearing officer finds that the violations were not intentional and that the beekeeper has employed corrective actions that will probably be effective to cure the violations alleged, then he may issue a warning in lieu of ordering the bees destroyed or removed. Upon failure of the beekeeper to comply with the order, the hearing officer may cause the bees to be destroyed and the hive structures to be removed. In each instance in which a bee colony is destroyed, all usable components of the hive structure that are not damaged or rendered unhealthy by the destruction of the bees shall, upon the beekeeper’s request, be returned to the beekeeper, provided that the beekeeper agrees to bear all transportation expenses for their return.
(d) 
Appeals.
The decision of the hearing officer may be appealed by filing a notice of appeal with the city secretary within ten (10) calendar days following the date that the hearing officer announces his decision or, if the decision is not announced at the conclusion of the hearing, then within fifteen (15) days following the date that the hearing officer places written notice of his decision in the mail to the beekeeper. An appeal shall stay the hearing officer’s decision, and the beekeeper is not required to remove the bees from the city pending the determination of the appeal.
(e) 
Action without hearing.
The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require a hearing for the destruction of:
(1) 
Any bee colony not residing in a hive structure intended for beekeeping;
(2) 
Any swarm of bees; or
(3) 
Any colony residing in a beekeeping hive which, by virtue of its condition, has obviously been abandoned by the beekeeper.
(Ordinance 2009-10-05 601, sec. 4(B)(IX), adopted 10/5/09)