Beekeeping is allowed, without any regulation or restriction, in the A-1 (Existing Agricultural) District and the A-2 (Agricultural/Residential) District. Beekeeping also is allowed in the R-1 (Single-Family Residential) District, the R-2 (Low Density Multi-Family Residential) District, the E-1 (Single-Family Rural Estate) District, and the C-2 (Highway/Auto Oriented Business) District, subject, however, to the following regulations and restrictions:

1.   Beekeeping shall only be allowed on property owned by the beekeeper or by a third party for which the beekeeper has written authorization from the property owner allowing for the keeping of bees.

2.   Honeybee colonies shall be kept in hives with removable frames, with the hives kept in sound and usable condition.

3.   A maximum of three hives shall be permitted on a property one acre or smaller in size, while a maximum of 10 hives shall be permitted on a property larger than one acre in size.

4.   Hives shall not be located in the front or side yard.

5.   A source of water shall be readily available to the bees within the property that the beehives are located at all times during the time of year in which the bees are active.

6.   When a hive is situated within twenty-five feet of a property line, as measured from the nearest point on the hive to the property line, the beekeeper shall establish and maintain a flyway barrier parallel to the property line(s) which is a minimum of six feet in height consisting of a solid wall of a building, fence, dense vegetation or combination thereof. The flyway barrier shall extend a minimum of twelve feet beyond the hive in all directions so that all bees are forced to fly at an elevation of at least six feet above ground level over the property line(s) of the apiary. Dense vegetation used as a flyway barrier may exceed a height of six feet; however, the vegetation shall be a minimum of six feet in height at the time the beehives are located on the property. A building permit shall be obtained prior to the construction of any building or fence.

7.   As recommended by the Iowa State Apiarist, the beekeeper shall incorporate best management practices in the beekeeping operation at all times, including practicing property management and manipulation of colonies to remedy swarming and/or aggressive colonies.

8.   Before beginning beekeeping activities, the beekeeper shall complete a beekeeping course, class, or school sponsored by the Iowa Honey Producers Association, a governmental entity, or similar organization. Before beginning beekeeping activities, the beekeeper shall register, without charge, the beekeeping activities with the City Clerk on a form which will provide the beekeeper’s name, contact information, and location of the hives, as well as certifying the completion of the beekeeping course, class, or school.

9.   Beekeepers are encouraged to register the location of their beehives with the Iowa State Apiarist.

10.   The City is not liable for any damage to bees, hives, colonies, or beekeeping operations resulting from the City’s use of spray to kill pests or weeds on public rights of way or public property.

11.   The beekeeper shall indemnify and hold harmless the City from and against all damages, claims, actions, suits, and demands arising form the beekeeper’s beekeeping operation.

12.   In the event a beekeeping operation is determined to be in violation of this chapter, the beekeeper and/or property owners shall be given written notice of the violation and be allowed 14 days from the date of the notice to correct the violation. If the property is not brought into compliance within the 14 day period, the hives shall be immediately removed from the property.