What a stupid law. Especially in light of the declining bee colony populations.
SAVANNAH -- You can keep up to five chickens in your Savannah backyard and raise rows of vegetables, but when your urge for self-sufficiency extends to honey, watch out. Savannah is a real buzz kill for backyard beekeepers.
A city ordinance enacted more than 30 years ago restricts hobby beekeepers from setting up hives on their property. Get caught with one and you could be fined almost $400, as a Southside
beekeeper discovered last year.
The Coastal Empire Beekeepers Association, which has seen interest and membership increase steadily in the past few years, would like to see the ordinance revamped, said Greg Stewart, president of the group.
"I think Savannah needs to catch up," Stewart said.
Beekeeping is a natural extension of the local food movement across the country, beekeepers say. New York City, 15 times more densely populated than Savannah, changed its ordinance in March to allow beekeeping in all five boroughs. There are even two beehives at the White House garden.
Comments
What a stupid law. Especially in light of the declining bee colony populations.
I would agree with Trey. In densely populated areas, I can see upholding the ordinance, but otherwise, the law should be changed. While it is not being worked anymore, I left a beehive @ mom and dad's old house in Atlanta, back in the woods. That was over twenty years ago.
Properly maintained beehives are not a problem. And, I love fresh honey for a lot of things. Savannah it is time to catch up with the times.
Does anyone know if we have ordinances banning bee keeping in Augusta?
We need the bees. Change the stupid laws b4 we have to pollinate by hand..which can happen ya know.
That would suck, B4. It would defintely change the conversation from "The Birds and the Bees"... I'll stop there.
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