The Los Angeles City Planning Commission approved an ordinance that would allow legal beekeeping for LA area homeowners. Current LA City law prohibits backyard beekeeping, but most in City government have been supportive of this movement towards urban agriculture – with  replenishing the supply of bees being a central part of a healthy system.
According to the LA Times:
The proposed ordinance, approved Thursday by the city Planning Commission, would allow beekeeping by right in single-family neighborhoods. The resident would need to register as a beekeeper with the Los Angeles County agriculture commissioner, have no more than one hive per 2,500 square feet of lot, keep the hives at least five feet from the neighbors’ yards and 20 feet from the street or sidewalk and keep a source of water for the bees so they don’t seek water from the neighbors’ swimming pool or bird bath. There’s no pre-approval needed, but the city will respond to complaints and if residents break the rules or can’t manage their bees, the city can revoke the right to keep hives.
Legal backyard beekeeping has been an issue that is near and dear to our hearts at LarchmontBuzz. The next step is for the LA City Council to approve the ordinance. Be sure to reach out to CD4 Councilmember Tom LaBonge to voice your support!
Read more:
LA Times – Sweet! Los Angeles is Closer to Legalizing Beekeeping
photo credit: BIMUDUIS_ZonenAuMaedels11 via photopin (license)
Beekeeping is a great idea.
Check out this video for the Flow Hive: https://www.facebook.com/renaudmargry/videos/1071501276198227/?pnref=story
Lauren – thanks for sharing that link. The flow hive is a truly incredible invention.