TITLE:
title
SECOND 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
1. Staff recommends the City Council give a second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2025-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.
2. Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, California, establishing a beekeeping permit user fee to be added to the City's Consolidated Schedule of User and Regulatory Fees.
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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 November 19, 2024, a first reading of proposed amendments to CMMC 3-18 were presented to City Council. Council members provided feedback and discussed proposed amendments. City Council approved moving the ordinance forward by a vote of 7-0 with three council member amendments.
ANALYSIS:
This ordinance is being presented for second reading and final adoption.
The proposed ordinance allows for the keeping of domesticated bees with a permit issued through the Police Department's Animal Services Unit. Permits would only be issued for residential properties that allow for adequate spacing from neighboring residences so as not to interfere with the free use of neighboring properties. Distance limits have been established to define adequate spacing. Beehives must ...
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