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Planning commission advances backyard beekeeping text amendment to Board with staff-recommended regulations
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Summary
The commission found zoning text amendment Z-2025-090 appropriate and forwarded changes to allow backyard beekeeping in R1 with limits (2 hives per quarter-acre; up to 6 per acre; 200-foot exemption, setbacks, flyway barriers) to the Board of Supervisors.
The Warren County Planning Commission voted to forward a proposed amendment to Chapter 180 of the County Code that would permit backyard beekeeping as an accessory use in the Residential-1 zoning district and add supplementary regulations.
Planning staff told the commission the draft ordinance would add subsection 180–22(c)(7) and a new section (180–35.3) requiring hive acquisition and maintenance to follow Virginia state code and setting permit and physical standards. The proposal includes an annual zoning permit review, a limit of two beehives per quarter-acre and a maximum of six beehives per acre, and a provision that removes density limits if all beehives are placed at least 200 feet from all property lines. Other rules in the draft include hives located only in side or rear yards with a 10-foot minimum distance from property lines, and a 6-foot flyway barrier for hives located within 40 feet of a property line (or an elevated hive entrance at least 6 feet above the property line).
Staff noted the draft is consistent with state best management practices and included a reference to the Virginia administrative code section cited in the packet. No members of the public spoke in opposition. The commission found the amendments appropriate for public necessity, convenience and general welfare and will forward the draft to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.
