8.94.030 Beekeeping – Maintenance of Colonies.
A. Honey bee colonies shall be maintained in the following condition:
1. All honey bee hives shall be registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture and comply with Chapter 15.60 RCW and Rules adopted thereunder.
2. Colonies shall be maintained in movable-frame hives, unless exempted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture as an educational exhibit.
3. Adequate handling techniques, such as requeening, should be employed, and adequate space in the hive should be maintained to minimize swarming.
4. Apiaries shall be managed and kept in a clean and orderly condition.
5. An apiary(s) shall be marked in full compliance with WAC 16-602-040.
B. It shall be the duty of any person having honey bees on his or her property to prevent diseased hives as defined in RCW 15.60.005(13) and (16).
C.
1. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department shall refer complaints of possible violations of Chapter 15.60 RCW to the State Department of Agriculture.
2. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department shall consult with the State Department of Agriculture on concerns regarding the maintenance of honey bee colonies.