Chapter 6.20
BEES
Sections:
6.20.010 Permission of Property Owners Required
6.20.020 Limitations on the Number of Hives
6.20.040 Supplies of Water and Other Nutrients
6.20.010 Permission of Property Owners Required
It is unlawful for any person or entity to keep bees on any lot or parcel of land consisting of less than seven thousand (7,000) square feet in area. It is unlawful for any person or entity to keep bees on any lot or parcel of land consisting of more than seven thousand (7,000) square feet of area without first obtaining written permission consenting to the keeping of bees on such lot or parcel from all of lawful occupants and the lawful owners of adjoining lots or parcels of land which are contiguous to the said lot or parcel. Those desiring to keep bees in a parcel or lot greater than seven thousand (7,000) square feet in area shall first obtain the prior written consent of seventy-five (75) percent of the lawful occupants and owners of the lot or parcel of land within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the proposed bee parcel. Violation of this provision is a Class 3 misdemeanor. (Ord. 1224 (part), 2014: prior code § 4-61)
6.20.020 Limitations on the Number of Hives
It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain more than one (1) hive or colony of bees for each two thousand (2,000) square feet of area within any lot or parcel of land within the City upon which bees are kept or maintained; provided, however, no more than four (4) hives or colonies will be allowed for each square mile of land area within the City limits. A "hive" or "colony," as defined in this chapter, shall be the prevailing size of hives currently used within the honey industry. Violation of this provision shall be a Class 3 misdemeanor. (Ord. 1224 (part), 2014: prior code § 4-62)
6.20.030 Location of Hives
Any hive or colony of bees being kept or maintained should be located as far as possible from all exterior property boundaries, but in no case shall any hive or colony of bees be kept or maintained within fifteen (15) feet of any boundary line of the lot or parcel upon which the bees are kept. (Ord. 1224 (part), 2014: prior code § 4-63)
6.20.040 Supplies of Water and Other Nutrients
Any person keeping or maintaining bees within the City shall provide a constant and easily accessible supply of water and other nutrients of sufficient quantity to meet the needs of all bees being maintained or kept. (Ord. 1224 (part), 2014: prior code § 4-64)
6.20.050 City Liability
The City shall have no liability or responsibility for the keeping of bees within the City limits. (Ord. 1224 (part), 2014: prior code § 4-65)
6.20.060 License Required
Prior to the keeping of bees, a City bee keeping license shall be secured from the City which shall establish a written record within City offices containing the following information:
A. The dimensions of the lot or parcel;
B. The exact location of the hive or hives;
C. The local person or entity responsible for the bees, together with a current address and telephone.
Prior to the keeping of bees within the City, any person wishing to keep bees shall fully comply with all requirements of the State of Arizona prior to applying for a City bee keeping license. The license fee shall be one dollar ($1.00) per hive. The license shall be renewable annually. The renewal shall include verification by the bee keeper of the requisite neighboring property consents. Violation of this provision shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. (Ord. 1224 (part), 2014: prior code § 4-66)