Beekeeping Bylaw #745, 2018

Montrose, British Columbia · adopted 2018-05-07

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 8924d04329c3 · verified 2026-08-28 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

THE CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF MONTROSE BYLAW #745 A BYLAW TO REGULATE THE KEEPING OF BEES WHEREAS Section 8(3)(k) of the Community Charter authorizes a Council, by bylaw, to regulate, prohibit and impose requirements in relation to animals; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Council of the Village of Montrose in open meeting assembled, enacts as follows: SHORT TITLE 1. This Bylaw may be cited as the "BEEKEEPING BYLAW #745 - 2018" DEFINTIONS 2. "BEE" means the insect Apis mellifera; "BEEHIVE" means a box or receptacle with moveable frames, used for housing a colony of bees; "BEEKEEPER" means a person registered to engage in beekeeping under the Animal Health Act and who owns or controls bees or beehive equipment; "COLONY" means a queen, brood and accompanying adult bees. "VILLAGE" means the area within the municipal boundaries of the Village of Montrose. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BEEKEEPER 3. (1) Beekeepers must comply with the Animal Health Act or other applicable standards established by the Province of BC. (2) Beekeepers have the duty to: a. adhere to good management practices and maintain beehives in a condition that will reasonably promote bee health, and prevent swarming and aggressive behaviour. b. provide an adequate water supply to prevent the bees from seeking alternative sources. GENERAL REGULATIONS 4. (1) The keeping of beehives is permitted in all Zones of the Village. (2) Any beehive is to be located in the rear yard of the property, or in the best location as determined by the Regional Apiary Inspector. (3) Any beehive must be sited so as to allow a clear flight path of at least 7.5 metres straight ahead from the front of the beehive to any property line and 3.0 metres for the side and rear of the beehive to any property line, except where the beehive is: a. sited behind a solid fence that is 2.0 metres in height running parallel to any property line and extending at least 6.0 metres beyond the front of the beehive in both directions, in which case the 7.5 metre setback may be reduced to 3.0 metres, and the 3.0 metre setback may be reduced to 1.0 metre. b. elevated such that the underside of the beehive is raised a minimum of 2.5 metres above ground level, in which case the Bylaw #745 - Page 2 7.5 metre setback may be reduced to 3.0 metres. (4) The maximum number of beehives/colonies permitted on any parcel of land is two (2). OFFENCE AND PENALTIES 5. (1) Any person who violates a provision of this Bylaw is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine of not less than $500.00 and not more than $2,000.00 upon summary conviction. (2) Each day that a violation continues to exist is a separate offence against this bylaw. ENACTMENT 6. (1) If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Bylaw is for any reason held to be invalid by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalid portion shall be severed and the part that is invalid shall not affect the validity of the remainder. (2) This Bylaw shall come into full force and effect on the final adoption thereof. READ A FIRST TIME this 16th day of April, 2018 READ A SECOND TIME this 16th day of April, 2018 READ A THIRD TIME this 16th day of April, 2018 RECONSIDERED AND FINALLY ADOPTED this 7th day of May, 2018 _________________________ _________________________ Mayor Corporate Officer Certified a true copy of Bylaw #745, as adopted _________________________ Corporate Officer Bylaw #745 - Page 3