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Council removes local beehive limits to align code with state rule after neighborhood swarm
Summary
Perry City updated its urban-livestock code to remove a local beehive-count restriction and instead reference the applicable Utah state statute and rules after staff found a state rule prevents local limits based on city size; council approved Ordinance 26‑e unanimously following staff explanation of a recent neighborhood swarm incident.
Perry City approved an amendment to its urban‑livestock code that replaces a local beehive limit with a directive to follow state statute and administrative rules.
Staff recounted a neighborhood incident where a beehive swarm stung multiple people and then, during attempted removal, a second event occurred. Planning staff said the planning commission initially recommended not approving a local change, but staff and city legal review found an adopted state rule (cited in the presentation as r68‑21) that limits the city’s authority to regulate the number of beehives by municipal class. The staff proposal removes the local numeric restriction and says beehives "shall be permitted and managed in conformance with Utah State statute and adopted state rules including r68‑21."
"They swarmed through the neighborhood, stinging multiple people," staff said while explaining the rationale for studying the code and aligning local rules with state law.
Council members asked clarifying questions; after discussion a council member moved to approve Ordinance 26‑e and the council adopted the amendment by unanimous roll call.
Why it matters: the amendment updates local code to avoid a conflict with state rule and to provide a consistent regulatory baseline for residents and beekeepers. It also responds to public-safety concerns raised after the swarm incident.
Next steps: staff will amend the code text to reference state statute and distribute the updated language.
