The Animal Control Board conducted several meetings to review the existing City Code prohibiting beekeeping within City limits.  The Board was unanimous in the decision to recommend to the Mayor and City Council to allow hobby beekeeping within City limits. Staff introduced the topic to the City Council at its January 17, 2016 work session and Council directed staff to produce an ordinance amending the City Code and schedule it for public hearing and first reading. The proposed code changes will allow hobbyist beekeeping in the City, subject to permits issued by the City.  

The Animal Control Board recommends a permit fee of $10.  Animal Control does not anticipate high costs associated with this ordinance change and the $10 fee will cover printing permits and employee hours.  

Attached is the proposed ordinance, including recommended changes from Council.
 

The City Council may

• Approve the proposed ordinance.  Approving it would allow hobbyist beekeeping with City limits; or
• Disapprove the proposed ordinance.  Disapproving it would bring no change to the existing ordinance, which prohibits hobbyist beekeeping.

There is a small financial impact to the General Fund as we do not anticipate high costs associated with this ordinance change.  The $10 fee for a beekeeping permit will cover printing permits and employee hours.