Beekeeping

• It is against the law for any person to possess, harbor, keep, maintain or permit a bee colony within the City, except as provided within the City’s Land Development Code (see below).
• It is against the law for any person to possess, harbor, keep, maintain or permit Africanized bees and hybrids of Africanized bees within the City.
• "Bee" means any stage of the common domestic honey bee, Apis mellifera species. Bee does not include Africanized bees and hybrids. "Colony" means a hive and its equipment and appurtenances, including bees, comb, honey, pollen, and brood.

Requirements for Accessory Buildings or Structures for Beekeeping.

• Permitted Lots. Hive boxes are only permitted on residentially and agriculturally zoned lots with single-family detached dwelling units.
• Hive Box Height and Area. Hive boxes and any ground-mounted appurtenances are permitted to be a combined height of up to six feet above ground level and up to ten cubic feet.
• Setbacks.

- Front: Behind the principal building.
- Street Side. Equal to the street side setback required for the principal building.
- Interior Side: Ten feet.
- Rear: Ten feet.

• Hive Boxes. All bee colonies shall be kept in hive boxes with movable combs or frames.
• Hive Box Maximums. Maximum hive boxes permitted per residential and agricultural zone lot:

- Lots less than one-quarter acre in size: Two hive boxes.
- Lots between one-quarter acre and less than one-half acre in size: Four hive boxes.
- Lots between one-half acre and less than one-acre in size: Six hive boxes.
- Lots between one-acre and less than two-acres in size: Eight hive boxes.
- Lots two acres and greater in size: Twelve hive boxes.
- Exception: For lots where all hive boxes are situated at least 250 feet in any direction from all property lines of the lot, there is no limit as to the maximum hive boxes permitted per residential lot. 

Bee means any stage of the common domestic honey bee, Apis mellifera species. Bee does not include Africanized bees and hybrids of Africanized bees.

Colony means a hive and its equipment and appurtenances, including bees, comb, honey, pollen, and brood.

Hive/Hive Box means a structure intended for the housing of a bee colony. Hive boxes are permitted to be up to six feet in height and up to ten cubic feet.