TITLE:
title
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3 (ANIMAL REGULATIONS) OF THE COSTA MESA MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING CHAPTER I (IN GENERAL) AND CHAPTER VI (SPECIAL ANIMAL PERMIT) TO PROVIDE FOR BEEKEEPING AND TO CLARIFY APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL ANIMAL PERMITS
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DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: STEPHANIE A. SELINSKE, LIEUTENANT
CONTACT INFORMATION: STEPHANIE A. SELINSKE, LIEUTENANT 714-754- 5293
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council introduce for first reading the attached Ordinance No. 2024-XX amending Title 3 (Animal Regulations) of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code by amending Chapter I (In General) and Chapter VI (Special Animal Permit) to allow for the lawful keeping of bees and/or hives within the City and to clarify appeal procedures for special animal permits.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Costa Mesa Municipal Code (CMMC) 3-18, currently states it is unlawful for any person to have, keep, or maintain any hive or swarm of bees within the City. On January 26, 2022, the Animal Services Committee voted to establish a Beekeeping Ad Hoc Committee to explore the feasibility of beekeeping within Costa Mesa and to recommend changes to CMMC 3-18 that would permit beekeeping in the City. On March 20, 2023, the Beekeeping Ad Hoc Committee submitted its findings and a draft ordinance to the Animal Services Committee and relevant City staff. Following the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation, the Animal Services Committee voted to forward these findings and the draft ordinance to the City Council, with the intent to revisit the issue if conflicts related to backyard beekeeping increased or if there was significant public support for beekeeping. In 2024, community members showed significant public interest and support for permitting beekeeping in the City of Costa Mesa. On October 1, 2024, a first reading of proposed amendments to CMMC 3-18 were presented to City Council....
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