17.300.050 Beekeeping.
A. Best Management Practices. Beekeeping operations shall comply with the Sonoma County Beekeeper’s Association’s (SCBA) Recommended Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Sustainable Beekeeping dated October 10, 2016, as may be amended. The Recommended BMPs for Sustainable Beekeeping addresses the following topics:
1. Location and placement of hives;
2. Hive density;
3. Hive management;
4. Hive maintenance;
5. Colony temperament;
6. Swarming/honey bee removal and relocation; and
7. Disease control.
B. Hive Location. Hives shall be set back a minimum of five feet from property lines and shall not be located in any required front yard. Screening, foliage, shrubs, trees, fencing, and barriers shall be located as necessary to redirect any bee flight path to minimize human and animal contact. Screening should be of sufficient density and length to establish bee flyways above head height (a minimum of six feet) in all directions. (Ord. 1111, 2018)