Are bees allowed? Yes, BUT see subpoints 2, 4, and 9 under Animal Production or Urban Animal Husbandry. Excerpts are below or visit http://www.stormlake.org/213/Zoning-Code-Articles. Per subpoint 2, allowable limit is 1 unit (ten bees), subpoint 4 restricts movement, and subpoint 9 requires an Administrative License.
Urban Animal Husbandry is a permitted use of land in all districts but LI and GI; Urban Ag is a conditional permitted use in all districts that would require Board of Adjustment review and approval. See Table 4-2 Permitted and Conditional Uses by Zoning Districts http://www.stormlake.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/382
6 ARTICLE SIX – SUPPLEMENTAL USE REGULATIONS
602 Supplemental Use Regulations: Agricultural Uses …
Animal Production or Urban Animal Husbandry
1.Any building housing urban animals shall be at least 20 feet from any property line and 25 feet from any dwelling unit on the site.
2. 0.5 animal units shall be allowed for each acre of land. Fractions that are less than 0.5 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Fractions greater than 0.5 shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. One animal unit is defined as equal to the following:
1 –large hoofed animals (i.e. horse, mule, cow, llama or similar)
4 – small hoofed animals (i.e. sheep, goats, swine, or other similar)
6 – large fowl (i.e. geese, turkeys, or other similar)
10 – small animals and fowl – (i.e. rabbits, chickens, ducks, or other similar)
Formula: lot size in square feet, divided by 43,560, times 0.5 = allowable animal units (round up or down to the nearest whole)
3. The Zoning Administrator may determine a unit number for animals not listed.
4. Animals shall not be allowed to roam free and shall be kept within fences, corrals, barns, stables, pens, etc.
5. Any building housing animals shall be located no closer than 20 feet to an adjacent property line and 25 feet from any habitable residence. A property is limited to no more than one enclosed structure per animal unit type without a conditional use permit.
6. Fences, corrals, and similar structures must adhere to setback regulations for the applicable zoning district.
7. All feed shall be stored in rodent proof containers.
8. All litter and animal waste shall be removed on a regular basis and disposed of promptly and properly.
9. Keeping of urban animals within the City Limits shall require an administrative license issued by the City of Storm Lake.
If a nuisance was called: Zoning code violations would be valid. If a beekeeper were acting within code, there would be no violation. Staff is aware that current policy is bee-unfriendly.
Additional notes: See Agricultural Use types, excerpt below or visithttp://www.stormlake.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/381
303 Agricultural Use Types
Urban Agriculture Urban agriculture means farming in the city and includes such actions as cultivating, processing, and distributing food within the city. The following specific uses are a part of urban agriculture:
… 5. Urban Animal Husbandry: The keeping of smaller animals (chickens, ducks, turkeys, goats, bees, fish, rabbits, or similar) within developed areas of the city.
a) Keeping of animals within city limits requires a license/permit from the City of Storm Lake per Ordinance ____________.
Contact: Scott Oleson
Department: Zoning
Title: Building Official
Email: olesen@stormlake.org
Phone: 712-732-8000
County: Buena Vista