As used in this article, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section.
"Apiary"
means the assembly of one or more colonies of bees at a single location.
"Bee"
means any stage of the common domestic honeybee, Apis Mellifera species.
"Beekeeper"
means a person who owns or has charge of one or more colonies of bees.
"Colony"
means one hive and its contents and appurtenances, including bees, comb, honey, pollen, brood and appliances.
"Hive"
means a structure for the housing of a bee colony.
"Requeen"
means to replace the queen bee in a colony with a younger and more productive queen, a common practice to prevent bee swarming.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
The beekeeping requirements established in this article are intended to regulate beekeeping within the City, to avoid beekeeping from becoming a public nuisance, or otherwise endanger public health, safety, property, or general welfare.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
No person shall keep, maintain or allow any hive of bees within the City without first obtaining an annual beekeeping permit in accordance with the following requirements.
(a) 
Person shall obtain the beekeeping permit prior to January 10th of each year in which they maintain, possess, or are in possession of an apiary, or within 30 days thereafter.
(b) 
Person shall submit the application for the beekeeping permit to the City Animal Control Parking Enforcement Unit. At the time of the application for the beekeeping permit, the applicant shall:
(1) 
Submit proof of registration as required by the California Food and Agricultural Code and the County of Los Angeles;
(2) 
Be in compliance with the requirements of this article; and
(3) 
Pay the application fee as adopted by the City in accordance with Section 5-1.704.
(c) 
All applications for a beekeeping permit shall include:
(1) 
The name, address, telephone number, and signature of the applicant;
(2) 
If the applicant is not the owner of the subject property, a statement of approval signed by the owner of the property on which the hive is to be located; and
(3) 
A signed statement from the applicant that he or she will comply with the provisions and requirements of this article.
(d) 
Prior to the issuance of the beekeeping permit, the property described on the application for the beekeeping permit shall be inspected by the City Animal Control and/or Code Enforcement Officer.
(e) 
The term of the beekeeping permit shall be from the date of issuance to December 31st of the year of issuance.
(f) 
The beekeeping permit shall be renewed each year by submitting a renewal application and meeting the requirements of subsection (b) by January 10th of each year.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
The City may adopt a fee schedule. Permittee shall pay the fees in accordance with the adopted fee schedule.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
(a) 
Hives shall be maintained on a single-family residential property.
(b) 
Hives shall be limited to one colony per 3,750 square feet of lot area, and no more than two colonies may be maintained on any single-family residential property.
(c) 
All colonies shall be kept in inspectable hives consisting of movable frames and combs.
(d) 
Hives shall be maintained in sound and usable conditions at all times.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
(a) 
Hives shall be ten (10′) feet from any property line and screened behind a solid partition, fence or hedge six feet high that extends at least ten (10′) feet beyond the hives in each direction to ensure that the bees must fly over the barrier before leaving the property.
(b) 
Hives shall be fifteen (15′) feet from any public walkway, street, or road, or any public building, park or recreation area, or any residential dwelling not belonging to the permittee.
(c) 
Hive entrances shall face away from or parallel to the nearest property line.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
(a) 
Hives shall be maintained in movable-frame hives with adequate space and management techniques to prevent overcrowding and swarming.
(b) 
Hives shall be re-queened at least once every two years to prevent swarming or following any swarming or aggressive behavior.
(c) 
Hives shall be isolated from public access by a security fence and prominent signage warning of the presence of a hive.
(d) 
Permittee shall maintain an adequate supply of fresh water located close to each colony for the bees to discourage bee visitation at other water sources on adjacent public or private property.
(e) 
Hive maintenance materials or equipment shall be stored in a sealed container or placed within a building or other bee-proof enclosure.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
Animal Control and/or Code Enforcement Officers are empowered to enter upon any premises where bees are kept, or upon which there is reason to believe that bees are kept to enforce the requirements of this article and/or the conditions of the beekeeping permit.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
Bees or hives shall be considered a public nuisance when any of the following occurs:
(a) 
Colonies of bees exhibit defensive or objectionable behavior, or interfere with the normal use of neighboring properties.
(b) 
Colonies of bees are living in trees, buildings, or any other space except in movable frame hives.
(c) 
Colonies of bees swarm.
(d) 
Bees or hives do not conform to Federal, State, or local laws.
(e) 
Hives are abandoned by the resident bees or by the owner.
(f) 
Diseased bees.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter may be served with a written notice to cease or remedy the violation by any law enforcement officer, Animal Control Officer, or Code Enforcement Officer. Upon permittee's receipt of notice, permittee shall cease or remedy the violation within 48 hours.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)
(a) 
Any person who fails to cease or remedy any violation within 48 hours of notice, or who causes a subsequent violation to occur, or who knowingly or intentionally misrepresents to any officer or employee of the City any material fact in procuring the beekeeping permit provided for by this article shall be deemed guilty of an infraction.
(b) 
The remedies provided in this article are not exclusive, and nothing in this article shall preclude any person from seeking other remedies, penalties or procedures provided by law.
(§ 1, Ord. 3112 c.s., eff. November 8, 2013)