This chapter authorizes the use in the city of Staunton of what is commonly referred to as hobbyist beekeeping and prescribes the conditions for the keeping of such honeybee colonies (hives) within an urban residential environment. It also seeks to protect the residential integrity of the surrounding neighborhood and health and safety of the honeybee which is a vital part of the agribusiness economy of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The promotion of the agribusiness economy of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is a public purpose that fosters economic development and environmental stewardship. (Ord. 2025-23).

The following words and phrases, as used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings:

“Adequate water source” means a supply of water provided by the apiary operator for bees, which meets the following criteria:

(a) It is located within 15 feet of any beehive.

(b) It is maintained in a way that provides a consistent and reliable supply of water that is usable and accessible for bees, sufficient to meet the colony’s needs and to discourage bees from seeking water from unintended or nuisance locations. The beekeeper shall ensure the source does not run dry, especially during periods of peak demand such as during periods of time in which the temperature exceeds 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

(c) It is managed so as not to become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“Apiary” means any place where one or more colonies of bees are kept.

“Bee” means the honeybee, Apis mellifera and genetic variations thereof, at any living stage; and may include other hymenopterous insects that depend on pollen and nectar for food.

“Colony” means a queenright assemblage of social bees capable of reproducing.

“Dense vegetation” means a continuous, hedge-like barrier comprised of evergreen shrubs or other plants that are planted and maintained so as to form a solid, uninterrupted screen year round.

“Hive” means a box, skep, barrel, log gum, or other container used as a domicile for bees.

“Person” means the term as defined in § 1-230 of the Code of Virginia. The term also means any society or collective of persons dedicated to beekeeping. (Ord. 2025-23).

Beekeeping shall be permitted as an accessory use to a single-family or two-family dwelling on property zoned residential or professional, provided any person keeping bees thereon adheres to the following conditions:

(1) Location of Hives.

(a) All hives shall be located in the rear yard only.

(b) All hives shall be located not less than 15 feet from the rear and side line.

(c) All hives that are less than 40 feet from a property line must have no entrances below six feet, or must be placed behind a fly zone barrier. The fly zone barrier shall be at least six feet in height and located within 10 feet of the hive entrance, extending at least five feet on either side of the hive. Barriers shall consist of solid wall, fence, or dense vegetation.

(2) Area Requirements and Number of Colonies. The number of colonies permitted on a property shall be limited based on the size of the lot or parcel as follows:

(a) For lots 7,500 square feet or smaller, no colonies shall be permitted.

(b) For lots larger than 7,500 square feet but smaller than 10,000 square feet, no more than two colonies shall be permitted.

(c) For lots 10,000 square feet or larger but smaller than 15,000 square feet no more than four colonies shall be permitted.

(d) For lots 15,000 square feet or larger, one additional colony shall be permitted for each additional 5,000 square feet.

(e) Temporary Increase. For the purpose of queen mating or swarm control, the number of colonies permitted in subsections (2)(a) through (2)(d) of this section may be temporarily increased for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days.

(3) An adequate water source must be provided within 15 feet of any beehive. An adequate water source shall consist of an accessible and usable supply of water for the bees maintained so as not to harbor mosquitoes.

(4) The property owner shall conspicuously post a sign warning individuals of the presence of bees. This sign shall be located near the apiary and positioned so it is clearly visible to any person approaching the area where the hives are located.

(5) Bees must be acquired and beehives constructed and maintained in accordance with Title 3.2, Chapter 44 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, as determined by the state apiarist. (Ord. 2025-23).

The following pertains to the permit process for keeping bees and, when necessary, the revocation of such permit:

(1) It shall be unlawful for any persons to keep one or more beehives on property unless the person has been issued a permit for such by the zoning administrator. The application, which the zoning administrator is authorized to promulgate, must, at a minimum, identify the property by address and parcel ID; include a sketch showing the apiary location; and show all property dimensions, setbacks and fly zone barrier, if required. Once a one-time zoning permit fee has been paid as provided in SCC 18.156.060 and the site and enclosures have been inspected and approved by the city’s zoning administrator, and the application approved, a permit may be issued. No permit shall be issued to any person or as to any property as to which taxes, fees or other charges owed to the city have not been paid and are in arrears.

(2) The permit applicant must be the owner of the property or must have and submit written consent of the owner of the property as part of the permit application to keep bees on the property. Upon written notice of the property owner’s withdrawal or cancellation or termination of such approval, the permit shall be revoked by the zoning administrator.

(3) If the permit holder is convicted of any city or state code violation associated with the keeping of bees, the permit shall be revoked.

(4) In the event of the zoning administrator receiving and verifying three substantial and credible complaints of violation of any provision of this chapter and after notice given of such to the permit holder, the permit shall be revoked unless the permit holder, by a preponderance of the evidence, demonstrates good cause for a violation. The zoning administrator shall be permitted to collect evidence from any individual to make a determination of whether good cause has been demonstrated.

(5) Upon revocation of the permit, bees must be removed within 30 days of notification or be subject to removal. Any person(s) so having a permit revoked shall not be allowed, at any time, to make application for another residential apiary permit for five years. (Ord. 2025-23).

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this chapter, a person whose use of property involves bees being kept at the time of enactment of the provisions of this chapter shall have a period of 60 days from such date of enactment to comply with the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 2025-23).

The one-time fee for application for a permit to beekeeping shall be as provided under SCC 18.220.020 (zoning permit fee). If the use is discontinued by the applicant for a period of more than two years, a new permit process, as provided in SCC 18.156.040, and a new permit fee will be required. (Ord. 2025-23).