Only one hive would be allowed for every 2,500 square feet of a keeper's property, which would enable two hives on the typical Los Angeles residential lot, according to the planning department.
Beekeepers would also have to install their hives high above the ground or erect a tall wall, hedge or fence to help usher bees at least six feet above the ground when they leave the area, “to minimize interactions between bees and individuals in the vicinity,” according to draft rules. And they would be required to provide a source of water for their bees, to discourage them from seeking out nearby swimming pools.
Establishing hives would not require permits, but the city could order beekeepers to remove their hives if violations of the regulations are found.
