8.94.040 Hive Placement Requirements.
Hives in all areas of Pierce County shall adhere to the following:
A. Hives shall be at least 25 feet from a property line, with the hive(s) entrance(s) facing away from or parallel to the nearest property line.
B. Hives may be less than 25 feet from a property line if placed behind a 6-foot high fence, which shall extend at least 25 feet beyond the hive(s) in both directions. The fence shall direct bee flight into the air at least six feet before the bees cross the property line. The fence or obstruction may occur on the adjoining property, provided that bee flight is not directed in the vicinity of recreational decks or entrances to housing or buildings on adjoining properties. In lieu of a fence, the hive(s) may be placed at least eight feet above adjacent ground level, provided that all other requirements of this Section are met.
C. A hive(s) adjacent to public roads shall comply with A. and B. so as to direct bee flight at least 20 feet into the air over the road surface. In lieu of this requirement, a hive(s) shall be placed at least 100 feet from the road rights-of-way, with the entrance(s) parallel thereto.
D. The number of hives within urban residential areas shall be limited as follows:
|
Parcel Size (Square footage) |
# Hives |
|
6,000 to 10,000 |
2 |
|
10,001 to 20,000 |
4 |
|
20,001 to 43,560 (.46 to 1 acre) |
10 |
Exception: Residential limitations shall not apply when a parcel is contiguous to an open area, such as, but not limited to, wetlands, fish and game preserves and/or hatcheries, and military reservations. Such open areas shall be at least two acres in size.
E. The number of hives may not be restricted on parcels of land over one acre in size;
1. During times of the year when there is minimal bee flight or activity (October – March); or
2. The parcel is in a rural or agricultural area; or
3. The hives with bees are being used for agricultural crop pollination; and
4. A public nuisance is not created; and
5. All other requirements of this Chapter are met.
F. In addition to the above production hives, a person may maintain a minimum of one, or up to 10 percent of their production hives, of single-story Langstrogh deep hives with colonies, in each apiary, for requeening purposes. Such hives shall conform to all placement and management requirements and restrictions.
G. A consistent source of water shall be provided as appropriate at the apiary. This requirement is intended to discourage bee visitation at swimming pools, hose bibs, animal watering sources, bird baths, or where people congregate.