ORD 18-013ORDINANCE NO. 18-013
AN ORDINANCE adopting a new chapter 6.10 of the Camas
Municipal Code relating to Beekeeping.
The Council of the City of Camas do ordain as follows:
Section I
Anew Chapter 6.10 of the Camas Municipal Code entitled. Beekeeping, is hereby adopted as
follows:
Chapter 6.10 -Beekeeping
6.10.010 -Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, certain words
and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:
` A. "Apiary" means the assembly of one or more colonies of bees at a single location.
B. 'Beekeeper" means a person owning, possessing or controlling one or more colonies of bees.
C. "Colony or Hive" means an aggregate of bees consisting principally of workers, but having
one queen and at times many drones, including brood, combs, honey and the receptacle
inhabited by the bees.
D. "Honeybee" means all life stages of the common domestic honey bee, Apis mellifera species.
6.10.020 -Beekeeping
It is the intent of this section to establish standards for beekeeping in a manner which will
not endanger the health, peace and safety of the citizens of the City and VV assure the bee
hives are appropriately placed, maintained and managed.
A. The keeping of bees is generally permitted within the City as an incidental or accessory
activity to the primary use of property (eg. The occupant of a single family residence or
business may keep bees on the residential or commercial property), subject to the following
limitations.
1. Propert
ies less than 7,000 square feet shall be limited to four production colonies or
bee hives.
2. No more than six production colonies or bee hives are allowed on propert
ies greater
than 7,000 square feet and less than two acres. On lots larger than two acres, an
additional two hives per acre are permissible.
3. No production colonies or bee hives shall be established or kept on a multifamily
building.
B. Hive Placement Requirements.
ORDINANCE NO. 18-013
1. Hives may be placed anywhere on properties with bee -proof fencing a minimum of
five -feet high.
2. In unfenced yards, hives must be ten feet from side and rear property lines. A five-
foot tall bee screening of lattice, wood, plantings or fencing must be place five to ten
feet from the entrance of the hives.
C. Hive, apiary Management Requirements
1. All hives shall comply with Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 15.60.
2. Beekeepers shall maintain an adequate supply of water on their property.
3. Bees should be housed in an appropriate hive body that offers good insulation and
protection from weather and predators.
4. Beekeepers must source their bees locally (within a 100 -mile area)> Local bees may
be transferred as nucleus hives or from swarms. Package bees from out -of --area are
prohibited.
5. Yard and garden products containing neonicotinoids or glycophosphates (Roundup)
should not be used in bee yards. Bee -safe and/or organic products are recommended.
6. Do not destroy or kill honeybees and bumble bees. Bee swarms and bee hives maybe
safely removed and relocated by a contacting a local beekeeper.
6.10.030 -Penalty
Any persons violating the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of anon -traffic
civil infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $300.00 for each violation.
II
Camas Municipal Code Section 8.06.060 K is hereby repealed.
IH
This Ordinance shall take force and be in effect five (5) days_ from and after its publication
according to law.
PASSED BY the Council and APPROVED by the May r hi � th day August, 2018.
SIGNED:
Mayor
ATTEST.
Clerk
APPROVED as to. form:
Attorney