Model Beekeeping Ordinance
The below is a sample ordinance that would protect both beekeepers and their neighbors. Responsible Beekeeping is all about being a good neighbor. Washington State RCW 15.60 allows beekeeping as long as Hives are registered. Currently there are no ordinances in the local area that limit or allow beekeeping. While this keeps us in a very gray area that some feel is fine, a few members have been fined under other unrelated laws just for having empty bee hives stacked in their backyard. At the same time Beekeepers in city limits need to follow some special guidelines to limit access to active hives, and prevent bees from preferring the neighbor’s pool as a water source of choice.
If interested in leading efforts or donate funding to get this or similar ordinance passed, please use the contact us form.
Beekeeping
A. Where Permitted.
Beekeeping is allowed as an accessory use on any lot occupied by a single-family
residence that is in the X districts zones. Beekeeping for educational or
research purposes by an institution such as college, nonprofit, school or agricultural
extension office is allowed as a conditional use permit in all zones, subject to the
requirements of subsection (B)(1) through (5) below.
B. Definitions
1. Beekeeper – person who keeps honey bees and practices beekeeping
2. Honey Bee Colony – a societal organization of honey bees consisting of a queen,
female workers, males drones, eggs, pupae, and larva working together in nest
building, food collection, and brood rearing. Written as “Colony” through this
standard.
3. Frame – a structural element in the bee hive that holds honey comb or brood
comb within the hive.
4. Hive – an enclosed structure in which the beekeeper maintains bees and the
colony live, rear brood, and gather and store food while domesticated.
5. Nucleus Colony – small honey bee colony created from a larger colony. Used by
the beekeeper for proliferation of the colony. Sometimes referred to as “Nuc”.
C. Liability
A person who owns or operates an apiary, is a registered apiarist under RCW 15.60.021, abides by all applicable city, town, or county ordinances regarding beekeeping, and operates the apiary in a reasonable manner and in accordance with generally accepted beekeeping practices, is not liable for any civil damages that occur in connection with the keeping and maintaining of bees, bee equipment, queen breeding equipment, apiaries, and appliances. The limitation of liability established in this section does not apply to acts or omissions that are reckless.
D. Standards Applicable to Beekeeping.
Beekeeping is subject to the following standards:
1. Location, Density and Maintenance of Colonies.
a. The number of colonies is limited to one colony per four thousand three
hundred fifty square feet of lot area; and
b. Colonies shall be setback a minimum of ten feet from any property line,
except that a colony may be situated within five feet of a side lot line or
rear lot line provided the following provisions are met:
i. The bee colonies are isolated from public access; and
ii. The beekeeper establishes and maintains a flyway barrier at least
six feet in height consisting of a solid wall, solid fencing material,
dense vegetation or combination thereof that is parallel to the
property line and extends five feet beyond the colony in each
direction so that all bees are forced to fly at an elevation of at least
six feet above ground level over the property lines in the vicinity of
the colony; or
iii. The colony is situated ten feet or more above the grade of the
nearest adjoining property line.
c. There shall be no limit to the number of nucleus colonies (nucs)
2. Colonies shall be maintained in movable-frame hives to permit adequate
inspection.
3. Every beekeeper shall maintain an adequate supply of water for bees located close
to each colony.
4. Registrations and Training
a. All colonies shall be registered with the director of the state department of agriculture pursuant to RCW 15.60.021 no later than April 1st of each year.
b. Beekeepers shall take at minimum a beginning level course accredited by the Washington State Beekeepers Association, or similar course, or gained experience working under a master beekeeper for at least 2 years.