(1) 
The purpose of this Article is to establish certain requirements for beekeeping within Springville City, to avoid issues which might otherwise be associated with beekeeping in populated areas.
(2) 
Compliance with this Article shall not be a defense to a proceeding alleging that a given colony constitutes a nuisance.
(3) 
Compliance with this Article shall not be a defense to a proceeding alleging that a given colony violates applicable ordinances regarding public health.
(Ord. No. 22-2016 § 2, 10/04/2016)
As used in this Article, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this Section unless the context of their usage indicates another usage:
"Apiary"
means any place where one (1) or more colonies of bees are located.
"Beekeeper"
means a person who keeps honeybees in order to collect honey and beeswax and pollinate crops.
"Beekeeping equipment"
means anything used in the operation of an apiary, such as hive bodies, supers, frames, veils, gloves, top and bottom boards, extractors or other equipment to handle or manipulate bees, honey, wax, or hives.
"Colony"
means an aggregate of honeybees in any type of hive that includes one (1) queen, workers, drones, and brood.
"Hive"
means a frame hive, box hive, box, barrel, log, gum skep, or other artificial or natural receptacle that may be used to house bees.
"Honeybee"
means the common honeybee, Apis mellifera, at any stage of life.
(Ord. No. 22-2016 § 2, 10/04/2016)
Springville City residents may keep honeybees on their property in accordance with this Chapter. Beekeepers shall register with and obtain any necessary licenses from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food for beekeeping and shall follow all City ordinances and State and Federal laws and regulations that govern and regulate beekeeping, such as those found in Title 4, Chapter 11 of the Utah State Code.
(Ord. No. 22-2016 § 2, 10/04/2016)
(1) 
Number of Colonies. Honeybees may be kept as an accessory use on residential lots. The number of honeybee colonies allowed on lots is as follows:
Lot Size
Number of Colonies
Less than 0.5 acre
5
More than 0.5 acre
10
Agricultural zone
Unlimited
(2) 
Honeybee colonies shall be kept in hives with removable frames, which shall be kept in sound and usable condition.
(3) 
Beekeeping Equipment. Each beekeeper shall maintain his or her beekeeping equipment in good condition, including keeping the hives painted if they have been painted but are peeling or flaking, and securing unused equipment from weather, potential theft or vandalism and occupancy by swarms. It shall not be a defense to this Article that a beekeeper's unused equipment attracted a swarm and that the beekeeper is not intentionally keeping bees.
(4) 
Water Supply. A supply of fresh water shall be maintained on owner's property where it is readily accessible for bees to prevent them from congregating at neighboring swimming pools or other sources of water on nearby properties.
(5) 
Removing Swarm(s). If a beekeeper serves the community by removing a swarm or swarms of honeybees from locations where they are not desired, the beekeeper shall not be considered in violation of this Article limiting the number of colonies if the beekeeper temporarily houses the swarm on the apiary lot in compliance with the standards of practice set out in this Article for no more than thirty (30) days from the date acquired.
(Ord. No. 22-2016 § 2, 10/04/2016)
(1) 
Design. Hives shall not exceed six feet (6') in overall height above ground level. This includes all brooders, supers, stands and any other components of the hive. Hives shall be oriented away from the nearest property line.
(2) 
Location. Hives may not be located in the front or the street side yard of any property. Hives shall be located at least twenty-five feet (25') from any adjoining property line or public street if not shielded by a "flyway barrier." If shielded by a flyway barrier, the required setback shall be ten feet (10') from all property lines or public streets.
(3) 
Flyway Barriers. A hive shall be placed on property so that the general flight pattern of the honeybees is in a direction that will deter honeybee contact with humans and domesticated animals. If any portion of a hive is within twenty-five feet (25') from an adjacent property line or public access point as measured from the nearest point on the hive to the property line, a flyway barrier at least six feet (6') in height shall be established and maintained around the hive except as needed to allow access. Such flyway shall consist of a solid wall, a fence, dense vegetation, or a combination thereof, and must extend at least ten feet (10') beyond the hive in each direction so that honeybees are forced to fly to an elevation of at least six feet (6') above ground level over property lines in the vicinity of the apiary. Such flyway may not violate any other provisions in the Springville City Code.
(4) 
Schools/Public Parks. Beehives may not be located within one hundred feet (100') of a school property or a public park.
(Ord. No. 22-2016 § 2, 10/04/2016)
Notwithstanding compliance with the various requirements of this Article, it shall be unlawful for any person to maintain an apiary or to keep any colony on any property in a manner that threatens public health or safety or creates a nuisance. For the purposes of this Section, a colony or apiary constitutes a nuisance when the honeybees travel to any neighboring property to such an extent that the residents of that property are unable to fully enjoy the use of their property without coming into conflict with honeybees.
(Ord. No. 22-2016 § 2, 10/04/2016)