§ 92.29. Beekeeping.

A.

No person shall place or keep a beehive in the City of Akron without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Director of Health.

1.

Permit applications shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable annual fee of five dollars for each apiary to help defray the costs of processing the application.

B.

The Director of Health shall issue a permit for an apiary if he finds that:

1.

The apiary does not constitute a nuisance; and

2.

The apiary does not disturb the tranquility of the surrounding neighborhood; and

3.

The apiary does not endanger the public health; and

4.

The apiary is placed and maintained in a manner approved by the Director of Health and the following restrictions may be required:

a.

The back of the beehive may be no less than six feet from any adjoining residential property or to any public road or public right-of-way.

b.

The side of the beehive may be no less than fifteen feet from any adjoining residential property or to any public road or public right-of-way.

c.

The front of the beehive may be no less than twenty-five feet from any residential property or to any public road or public right-of-way.

d.

The front or entrance of a beehive shall not directly face residences of adjoining property owners.

e.

No person shall place or keep an apiary, or cause or allow an apiary to remain on land not owned or possessed by such person, without first obtaining the written permission to do so of the owner or person lawfully in possession of such land.

f.

Every person owning, possessing, or controlling an apiary shall maintain within ten feet of each apiary a supply of water with a backflow prevention device which shall be equipped with a float valve or similar device which assures an adequate accessible and usable supply of water for the bees.

(Ord. 583-1991)