3. PRC staff report beekeeping RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
QUINLAN COMMUNITY CENTER
10 10185 NORTH STELLING ROAD • CUPERTINO, CA 95014
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3110 www.cupertino.org
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Meeting: October 25, 2016
Subject
City of Cupertino Beekeeping Ordinance
Recommended Action
Provide input for consideration by the City Council regarding the proposed beekeeping
ordinance.
Background
On March 15, 2016, members of the Rolling Hills 4-H (based at McClellan Ranch
Preserve) and the Santa Clara Valley Bee Guild spoke to the City Council about the
city’s beekeeping ordinance. They noted that the current ordinance is so restrictive that
it effectively prohibits beekeeping with most of the city. They requested that more
reasonable regulations be developed that would support urban beekeeping in
Cupertino. In accordance with City Council direction, the city’s Community
Development Department has coordinated with Rolling Hills 4-H and evaluated
regional standards in order to appropriately update the city’s beekeeping ordinance.
Discussion
Community Development staff have developed a proposed new beekeeping ordinance
(see Attachment A) that will replace existing Municipal Code Chapter 8.07 (see
Attachment B). The proposed ordinance is designed to draw from other cities’
successful beekeeping updates and from local beekeeping experts’ knowledge, and to
include best management practices and stakeholder input. As proposed, it streamlines
the existing language and allows greater flexibility in siting bee hives. It is proposed to
apply to all zoning designations.
The Parks and Recreation Commission is invited to provide advisory input on the
proposed new beekeeping ordinance. It is important to note that the Planning
Commission is the body that will provide a recommendation to the City Council, since
the proposal will involve a change to Title 8 the city’s Municipal Code. However, Parks
and Recreation Commission input can be forwarded for consideration, as long as it is
not in conflict with the Planning Commission’s recommendation on this topic.
The proposed ordinance is scheduled for review by the Planning Commission on
October 25. It is tentatively scheduled for consideration by the City Council on Tuesday
November 15 for a first reading, and on Tuesday December 6 for a second reading and
possible subsequent inaction.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact will result from this action.
____________________________________
Prepared by: Gail Seeds, Park Improvement Manager
Approved by: Christine Hanel, Acting Director of Recreation & Community Services
Attachment A: Draft Beekeeping Ordinance, Chapter 8.07, Cupertino Municipal Code
Attachment B: Existing Beekeeping Ordinance, Chapter 8.07, Cupertino Municipal Code