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Staunton Council adopts ordinance permitting residential beekeeping with setbacks, lot-size and swarm-management rules
Summary
After a public hearing and presentations from staff, the council approved Chapter 18.156 to allow permit-based residential apiaries with a minimum lot size, 15-foot setbacks, a 60-day compliance period and revocation after repeated verified complaints.
Staunton City Council voted Sept. 11 to adopt an ordinance establishing Chapter 18.156 of the city zoning code to permit and regulate residential apiaries.
Maggie Taylor, a planning staff member, told council the ordinance was developed in response to citizen interest and after research and consultation with local beekeepers and sample ordinances from other localities. The ordinance defines “bee” consistent with Virginia state code and limits the regulation to honeybees used in beekeeping. It establishes a permit requirement, hive placement standards, a required nearby water source, swarm-prevention measures and a “fly zone” barrier to direct bee flight upward when hives are within 40 feet of a property line.
Taylor said the planning commission held a public hearing Aug. 21 and recommended approval by a 5–0 vote after a minor wording clarification on hive-entrance height. The draft ordinance allows property owners 60 days to bring existing hives into compliance and provides that a permit may be revoked if three credible complaints are verified by the zoning administrator.
The ordinance sets a minimum lot size of 7,500 square feet to be eligible for a hive and requires a 15-foot setback from property lines; larger lots may qualify for additional hives per the ordinance language. Council heard mixed public comment: Brenda Mead spoke in favor of the ordinance citing pollinator benefits and low incidence of fatal bee-sting events; Constance Birch opposed allowing beekeeping in dense neighborhoods and cited concerns about ER visits and allergies; James Hazlett supported allowing apiaries and noted rural-style lots within city limits.
Councilor Campbell moved adoption of the ordinance; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call. The ordinance will be added to the city code as Chapter 18.156 and staff thanked the planning commission and community participants for their work on the text.
