As we look to the codes of other municipalities within the state of Iowa, we see a changing landscape with regard to urban beekeeping. Ordinances that once addressed a legitimate concern are being replaced in an era with better understanding of honey bees, beekeeping, and the positive impact such activities have on the urban landscape. No longer regarded as a hazard to be kept at bay, honey bees are now known widely to be of great benefit and also in great need of our assistance. Below is an example of a municipality that embraced this changing environmental landscape in 2021. 

"ORDINANCE NO. 2021-11

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE XV, CHAPTER 160, OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF URBANDALE, IOWA TO MODIFY THE ZONING REGULATIONS REGARDING URBAN LIVESTOCK

Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Urbandale, Iowa:

SECTION 1.  That Title XV, Chapter 160, of the Municipal Code of the City of Urbandale, is hereby amended as follows:

1.1 Section 160.39 Urban Livestock, is hereby amended as follows:

160.39 URBAN LIVESTOCK.

Livestock may be raised and kept without limit or restriction on farms as defined in this Code, regardless of zoning district. In all other cases urban livestock shall be prohibited in all residential zoning districts, including but not limited to R-1L, R-1I, R1S, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Districts, and those portions of Planned Unit Developments that have correlating minimum lot widths and areas, and any other residential subdivision. However, apiaries (beekeeping), and private stables and paddocks exclusively for horses, may be allowed on any residential property that meets the requirements below for each.
 

Private stables and paddocks shall be located on the rear half of the lot and not closer than twenty (20) feet to any property line, nor closer than forty (40) feet from any dwelling on the same or adjoining property. The minimum lot area upon which a horse may be kept is one (1) acre and two (2) horses may be kept on an acre. One (1) additional horse may be kept for each 20,000 square feet by which the parcel of land exceeds one (1) acre.
 

Apiaries (beekeeping) may be allowed in all residential zoning districts, including but not limited to R-1L, R-1I, R1S, R-2, R-3 and R-4 Districts, and those portions of Planned Unit Developments that have correlating minimum lot widths and areas, and any other residential subdivision, subject to the following Performance Standards:
 

Beekeeping shall be allowed only on property owned by the beekeeper.
 

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

A maximum of two (2) hives shall be permitted on a property that is one (1) acre or smaller in size; a maximum of five (5) hives shall be permitted on a property that is between one (1) acre and five (5) acres in size; and a maximum of ten (10) hives shall be permitted on a property larger than five (5) acres in size.
 

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

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

Hives must be located a minimum of ten (10) feet from all property lines, as measured from the nearest point on the hive to the property line.
 

When a hive is situated within twenty-five (25) 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 (6) feet in height consisting of a solid wall of a building, fence, dense vegetation or combination thereof. Said flyway barrier shall extend a minimum of twelve (12) feet beyond the hive in all directions so that all bees are forced to fly at an elevation of at least six (6) feet above ground level over the property line(s) in vicinity of the apiary. Dense vegetation used as a flyway barrier may exceed a height of six (6) feet; however, said vegetation shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in height at the time that beehives are located on the property. A building permit shall be obtained prior to construction of any fence, or accessory structure that would be subject to a building permit.
 

Per the recommendation of the Iowa State Apiarist, the beekeeper shall incorporate best management practices in the beekeeping operation at all times, including but not limited to 1) completion of a Beekeeping Educational Course for which dates and locations can be obtained from the Iowa Honey Producers Association website; 2) registering the location of their apiaries annually with Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship’s Sensitive Crops Directory; and 3) practicing proper management and manipulation of colonies to remedy swarming and/or aggressive colonies.
 

In the event that a beekeeping operation is determined to be in violation of this Code with regard to the above regulations, the property owner shall be given written notice of the violation and be allowed fourteen (14) days from the date of the notice to correct the violation. If the property is not brought into compliance within fourteen (14) days, the hives shall be immediately removed from the property.

SECTION 2.  If any section, provision, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of this ordinance as a whole or any section, provision, or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

SECTION 3.  This ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval and publication as provided by law."

This is a shining example of responsible input from knowledgeable experts being implemented in a cooperative way to bring about positive change!