Beekeeping is permitted within the Medford city limits. Beekeepers who maintain hives within the city limits of Medford are required to register the hives with the city. Registration is FREE – simply fill out the Beekeeping Registry Form and mail it in. The form and ordinance information can be found on the City of Medford website at www.ci.medford.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=3415 (link to the full ordinance text is at the bottom of the page).
Section 10.813 (C) of the Municipal Code
• Number of Hives Permitted.
a. A maximum of three hives on a property less than one acre.
b. A maximum of six hives on a property between one and two acres.
c. For properties over two acres, an additional three hives per acre are permitted.
• A beekeeper who owns five or more hives is required by the State to register them with the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
• Bees shall be kept in hives with removeable frames or combs, which shall be kept in sound and usable condition.
• For each colony permitted to be maintained under this ordinance, one temporary nucleus colony in a hive structure not to exceed one standard 9-5/8-inch-depth, ten-frame hive body may also be maintained on the same property.
• Hives shall not be placed within a required front, side, rear, street side, or buffer yard.
• When a beehive is located less than 20 feet from a property line, a flyway barrier at least six feet in height shall be maintained parallel to the property line for a minimum of five feet in either direction of the hive. The flyway barrier may consist of a wall, fence, dense vegetation or a combination thereof, such that bees will fly over rather than through the material to reach the colony.
• A constant supply of fresh water shall be provided for the colonies on site within 15 feet of each hive.
• Each beekeeper shall ensure that no wax comb or other material that might encourage robbing by other bees are left upon the grounds of the property. Such materials once removed from the site shall be handled and stored in sealed containers, or placed within a building or other insect-proof container.
• If the beekeeper serves the community by removing a swarm or swarms of honey bees from locations where they are not desired, the beekeeper shall be permitted to temporarily hive the swarm on their property for up to 30 days from the date acquired, at which time the hive limit requirements of Section C.2 apply once more.
• Products generated on site by bees, such as honey, shall be permitted to be sold on the property per applicable business license and/or home occupation regulations; however, no outdoor sales are permitted.
• A beekeeper shall not locate or maintain a hive on property owned by another person without first obtaining permission from the property owner or person lawfully in possession of the property.
• A beekeeper shall immediately replace the queen in a hive that exhibits aggressive characteristics, including stinging or attempting to sting without provocation.
• Only docile common honey bees shall be permitted. African honey bees or any hybrid thereof are prohibited.
• A person may not keep a hive that causes a threat to human or animal health, or interferes with normal use and enjoyment of public or private property.
• Violation of Section 10.813(C) constitutes a violation. Every day in which the violation exists constitutes a separate violation.
• A violation of Section 10.813(C) is declared to be a public nuisance, and may be abated in the manner provided for in Section 5.520 of the Medford Code.