[stormbringer]

Hey Guys,

I wanted to make sure I did not have trouble with the city about keeping bees, and they came back stating I needed a to file for a "Permit-eligible non-domestic animal" at a cost of $150 / year.

Anybody else run into this? I think it's ignorance but not sure where to turn to.

The city ordinance states
"Any other species of the animal kingdom (as opposed to vegetable or mineral) which is venomous to human beings whether it's venom is transmitted by bite, sting, touch or other means, except the honey-producing bee, which does not include any strain of killer bee."

Any advice or way to fight it?

Here are the rest of the muni codes

http://library7.municode.com/default-test/home.htm?infobase=11924&doc_action=whatsnew

 

[daknoodle]

Each of the inner cities has its own rules. Here in Arlington, there is nothing about honeybees in the code, a mile or two away in Mansfield, its strictly forbidden.

I'd point them to what you just referenced and then ask them to please show you where in the code it says you have to pay 150 per year to keep honey bees. Be kind and gentle with them though, try to get them to work with you and not against you.

 

[MrJeff]

I don't think anyone is going to take the time to wade through the entire municipal code for Bedford, Texas. Which is where your link goes. The part you put in your post is confusing because you provide no perspective on what it is discussing. And you might have been better off just getting some bees, now you are on their radar.

 

[stormbringer]

Thx Mr. Jeff.

Reading the post below, I see the confusion. Been a long day...

That blurb is part of the prohibited animal section, it states, Alligators, giraffes, elephants... are prohibited and anything that stings with the exclusion of honey bees.

I was on the page, and coppied the URL thinking it was going to point to the correct link...

Animal muni code

Dak,

Further in the code it states

Permit-eligible non-domestic animal means any animal, which is now or historically, has been found to be wild by nature and not customarily domesticated in the city. This term includes, animals such as:
Order Artiodactyla, even-toed hoofed mammals, excluding the domesticated species of the Family Bovidae (cattle, sheep, goats);
Family Camelidae (Llama);
Order Perissodactyla, odd-toed hoofed mammals, excluding the domesticated species of the Family Equidae (horses, donkeys, mules);
Family Callithricidae (marmosets);
Cebus appela (capuchins).


But nothing about bees. I picked up a form and filled it. It states there it's $150.

Point is the muni code states Bees are not prohibited (just like dogs and cats), and its not listed in the permit eligible non domestic animals (just like dogs and cats)

So in my opinion, it looks like someone made a decisions based on their opinion.

Has anybody else run into similar situation? Anything I can do about it.

 

[MrJeff]

That's a little easier to understand. As I read it, bees are allowed. They are not wild animals, they have been domesticated for millenia. I know that I sure as heck wouldn't give 150 bucks to some glorified clerk with their own personal opinion of what the city code is supposed to mean. Good luck, I don't think I've been much help.

 

[daknoodle]

T
Permit-eligible non-domestic animal means any animal, which is now or historically, has been found to be wild by nature and not customarily domesticated in the city.

Is that ANY city or just Bedford? You might see if you can find a few other beeks in Bedford for proof that its a "customarily domesticated animal". Of course, trying to define a honey bee as an animal also seems strange to me.

I agree though, it sounds like someone used a rubber stamp answer for a question that came in and didn't really take the time to find out the truth. I'd push a little, or just ignore them all together.

 

[stormbringer]

Nah, you're critique of my original post is much appreciated.

Now it makes sens to others, and hopefully someone can shed some light or have some feedback.

 

[stormbringer]

Doug,

These are Bedford city ordinance.

Animal control said I'm the first person to ask for this so I don't think it's a common occurrence.

Problem with blowing them off is something happens and I get sued or something.

BTW Where in arlington are you located? I'm off 121 and harwood...

 

[Buffalolick]

Someting has gone wrong in our society when the only way you can really run a foul of the "law" is to call yourself on it or wait to piss someone else off and they use it as leverage against you. Ignore them.

 

[daknoodle]

MY bet is that there are a few others, just none cared enough to ask the city. I would consider sitting down with them and talking to them face to face about what the code really says. My bet is they are just throwing their opinion out there because they have never encountered it before and they are trained to default to the answer that gets the city the most money.

I am down at Collins and 20, next door to the Arlington Municipal Airport. You should come down sometime and check out my bees. I love backyard beekeeping!

 

[concrete-bees]

you can get that $150 back just by putting on a badge and drive around your area handing out tickets to everyone for having the little wasp nest under there eves and porches ----

if the law is written to be fair then ALL stinging insects are to be removed from the city and to then fine anyone that has them --

one landlord said i couldnt have bees --- so i gave my notice in the same sentence !!!!!!!! -- -- he came back over that night and said he had a change of heart and i told him that i didnt -- he lowered my rent to keep me and let me have my bees !!!!!!

anyhow im really sorry about the laws down there - is there a friend outside of town that you could place the hives and then you can still (have) bees?

also to piss off the clerk -- place about 20 empty hives out front with no bees in them -- no law says you cant look like you have bees!!!!!!

 

[honeybeekeeper]

I would get the newspaper involved and maybe the news station. I just read an article on the yahoo news not too long ago that the Big Apple up in New York just took off a old ban to owning Honey bees in the Big Apple. They know of the population decline and they are working together. Thats the key, working together to solve small issues! Good Luck!!

 

[Ross]

no permit required by my reading. Cancel the permit and ask for a refund.

 

[stormbringer]

Ross,

I'm with you but how do I "proove" it?

I have the supervisor of animal control telling me I need the permit. Obviously he's been told by someone else. So how do you clarify these things.

I know if you get a speeding ticket you can go to court and ask when the radar was last calibrated, with the apropriate tools and was the guy trained apropriately, but in this situation ...?

HoneyBeeKeeper, Sounds like a great option!

 

[mxr618]

Stormbringer, I've got your back --

"I, MXR618, a member in good standing with the esteemed website Beesource.com (Beekeeping resources for Beekeepers since 1997!) am hereby authorized to and duly do permit Special Agent Stormbringer the ability to host as many honeybee hives as he dang well wants, wherever he wants them, gratis.

His (or her?) valuable insight and deeply scientific research methods using the empirical method is brought to the art of beekeeping and as such, adds benefit immeasurable to the municipality in which he (or she?) lives. To insist Stormbringer pay the municipality a fee is at once both insulting and gauche.

Further, the county inspectors are to know that Mr. (or Ms?) Stormbringer keeps hives of the apis mellisaurus rex strain, a carnivorous breed of stinging bug that also has teeth. All scheduled inspections of his (her?) property must be run through my office (MXR618, 1060 W. Addison, Chicago IL 60101) and our crack teams of Beesource.com inspectors will file complete reports with the municipality's code enforcement team.

So sayeth,

mxr618

This 5th day of May
Year of Our Lord, 2010

-------


Print that and hand it to them. The keys to the kingdom are yours.

 

[USCBeeMan]

"Better to ask forgiveness that permission."

 

[MikeJordan]

I live in Bentonville Arkansas and was wondering about the need for a permit or registration of Bees. I'm not sure where to look for an answer.
Any input is welcome

thanks
Mike

 

[StevenG]

Don't ask. Don't tell. Just get your bees and beehave (beekeep? ) responsibly. You look for trouble, difficulties, you'll find it.
Regards,
Steven

 

[DRUR]

except the honey-producing bee, which does not include any strain of killer bee."

Nuff said. And you have got to be kidding, you are worried about a 'bee license'. I would say more but it would only be a distraction to this thread so I will bite my tongue [or rather muzzle my fingers].

 

[zopi]

I love living in the country...

My plan, in your case would be to install my bees in place where they are unlikely to be molested, and play dumb...that has worked for me in countless situations..most of which led to my moving to the country. <G>