Bees are very important to agricultural efforts. In a Fox New article entitled, “10 crops that would disappear without bees” they list 10 crops that would disappear if we no longer had bees. Those crops include apples, almonds, blueberries, cherries, avocados, cucumbers, onions, grapefruit, orange, and pumpkins. But there are also a large number of crops that would not disappear, but that would be very short on demand if bees were to die off, or to no longer be available in large numbers.
Eagle Mountain currently does not have any restrictions in place on beekeeping. The current restrictions in place are imposed by County and State laws. It is already required that all beekeepers register with the State. In Eagle Mountain there are currently only 28 licensed beekeepers, and of those 28 only 10 of those currently have active licenses.
The new restrictions will define where a beekeeper sit their hive, required them to register with the state, and limit the number of hives to four (4). There is no consideration of lot size in the number of hive restriction. The ordinance also adds guidelines on how hive products and byproducts can be stored. The ordinance also makes it a Class C misdemeanor for any violations to the ordinance.
The Planning Commission will be voting on this ordinance on 3/14/2017 and then if they approve it, it will then move to the City Council for their vote.
Proposed Ordinance
Chapter 6.15
BEEKEEPING
6.15.010 Definitions
“Apiary” means any place where one or more colonies of bees are located.
“Beekeeper” means a person who owns or has charge of one or more colonies of bees.
“Beekeeping equipment” means anything used in the operation of an apiary, such as hive bodies, supers, frames, top and bottom boards, and extractors.
“Hive” means a frame hive, box hive, box, barrel, log, gum skep or other artificial or natural receptacle which may be used to house bees.
“Honey bee” means the common honey bee, Apis mellifera, species, at any stage of development, but no including the African honey bee, Apis mellifera scutellata species, or any hybrid thereof.
6.15.020 Requirements
A. Each beekeeper shall be registered with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food as provided in the Utah Bee Inspection Act (Title 4 Chapter 11 of the Utah Code Annotated)
B. Provided that the standards of this code are met and a beekeeper application is filled out a bee keeper may keep up to four (4) hives. If more are desired a conditional use permit is required.
6.15.030 Permitted Species
A. A beekeeper may keep Honey bees as defined in this chapter
B. A beekeeper shall not intentionally maintain an aggressive or unmanageable stock, regardless of origin.
6.15.040 Hive Siting
A. A hive shall be placed on property so that the general flight pattern of bees is in the direction that will deter bee contact with humans and domesticated animals.
a. If any portion of a hive is located within fifteen feet (15’) from a public right-of-way, or an area providing public access, or from a property line on the lot where an apiary is located, as measured from the closest point on the hive, a flyway barrier at least six feet in height shall be established and maintained around the hive.
b. Such flyway, if located along the property line, shall consist of a solid wall or fence, or dense vegetation or combination thereof, which extends at least ten feet beyond the hive so that bees are forced to fly to an elevation of at least six feet above the ground level over property lines in the vicinity of the apiary.
B. Each beekeeper shall ensure that a convenient source of water is available to the colony continuously between March 1 and October 31 of each year. The water shall be in a location that minimizes any nuisance created by bees seeking water on a neighboring property.
6.15.050 Beekeeping Equipment
Each beekeeper shall ensure that no bee comb or other beekeeping equipment is left on the ground of an apiary site. Upon removal from a hive, all such equipment shall promptly be disposed of in a sealed container or placed within a container or placed within building or other bee-proof enclosure.
6.15.060 Violation
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep beehives in a manner that is contrary to the provisions of this chapter. Any such violation shall be a Class C misdemeanor.
Supporting Documents
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.