The Birds and the Bees in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has made
changes to city ordinances to relax restrictions and allow
residential chicken coops and beekeeping.
Residents who qualify
are now permitted to raise chickens for the purpose of eggs
and bees for the purpose of honey. Residential bees and
chickens benefit our community in a variety of ways while
providing a sustainable, healthy and fun source of food.
Over the past 50 years
domesticated bee populations have decreased by 50%. These
animals are critical in our food production because of the
pollination services they provide. Pollination by bees alone
is responsible for 15-30% of the food eaten in the United
States. Concerns about "killer" bees led to a ban on
beekeeping in Salt Lake City in the 1980s, however, domestic
strains of honeybees have been selectively bred for their
gentleness and can be safely kept in populated areas with
proper maintainance.
Backyard chickens can
improve the health of your yard and your family. The most
obvious benefit of keeping chickens is the production of eggs.
Eggs from well maintained backyard chickens are not only
cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but they are
actually healthier and taste better too! Compared to
factory-farmed eggs, backyard eggs contain significantly more
Vitamins A and E, beta carotene and omega-3 fatty acids.
Chickens provide more than
healthy food. They act as a natural pest control by eating
insects and their droppings are rich in nitrogen, making
it an excellent addition to your compost bin.
Finally, raising chickens
and bees at home can help reconnect the divide that has been
created between the American diet and food production. Playing
a larger role in the production of the food on your table will
help foster a greater understanding of and appreciation for
what you eat.
Quick Facts
Conditions for Residential Beekeeping:
Beekeeper must be registered with the Utah
Department of Agriculture
Hives must be in side or rear yard
Bees permitted:common Honeybee (Apis mellifera) at
any stage of its life, exluding the African Honeybee (Apis
mellifera scutellata) and any hybrids
Hives must have removeable frames
Hives must be five (5) feet from property line
Bees must have easy access to water on owner's property
Hives must be placed so that general flight patterns avoid
contact with humans and domestic animals
Hive must be maintained according to Utah Bee Inspection Act
Conditions for Residential Chickens:
Permit must be obtained from Salt Lake County
Animal Services, $5 per animal to be
renewed annually (Maximum of $40 annually).
Maximum of 15 Chickens and no roosters
Chickens must be kept in secure, enclosed area
Coop must have minimum of two (2) square feet per Chicken; six
(6) square feet per Chicken if not allowed out of coop
Chickens must be kept in rear yard at least twenty-five (25)
feet from dwelling on adjacent lot
Coops must be neat and sanitary
Chicken feed must be stored in rodent and predator resistant
containers
Find out more about the new ordinances by
following the links below!
What the City is Doing
Apply
for a Permit
Bee Keeping : All those interested in keeping bees must apply
for a license through the Utah Department of Agriculture.
Application available here.
Chickens: Permits must be acquired through Salt Lake County
Animal Services.
Contact Pam Thompson at 801-559-1122 or 801-559-1100.
What You Can Do
Report a Swarm!
Learn More
To find out more about food production and
nutrition,
click here.
