POLICY DATABASE
Policy Summary

The ordinance removed a prohibition on the keeping of domestic honeybees in residential zones (including mixed-use zones), and expressly allowed them as an accessory use so long as certain conditions are met. For example, each zone lot could have only two hives, and each hive needed to have a six-foot tall screen/barrier for the bees to fly over before getting in or out of Denver's zoning code has been revised since this ordinance was adopted.

Background Information

State Colorado
Jurisdiction Name Denver
Jurisdiction Type City, County,
Population Size 200,000-800,000
Legal Strategies
  • Expressly allows something
Reach Community-wide
Food System Category Grow;

Policy Details

Refers to priority populations?
No

Emergency management?
No
Health-related linkage?
Yes

whereas clause refers to the ordinance as being "reasonably necessary to the promotion of the public health, safety, and welfare."

Environmental linkage?
No

Economic linkage?
No

Includes findings?
Yes

The city council had determined on the basis of evidence and testimony presented at the public hearing that the amendment set forth herein is in conformance with the comp plan, is justified by changed or changing conditions, and is reasonably necessary to the promotion of public heath, safety and general welfare. (Whereas clause)

Has a stated intent or purpose?
No

Includes definitions?
No

Addresses implementation?
No

Enforcement provisions?
No

Evaluation component?
No

Requires extra investment?
No

Code context and ordinance history

Uncodified ordinance relating to Chapter 59 (Zoning), of the Denver Revised Municipal Code, section 59-87 (b)(2)(c) and 59-87(d). In May 2017, the zoning code was revised and renumbered. The revised code can be found at https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/community-planning-and-development/zoning/denver-zoning-code.html (download pdf version, search for "animals" to find provisions relevant to beekeeping and keeping of other animals for agricultural purposes).

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