City Council is considering new rules that would allow honeybee apiaries throughout the city while setting standards intended to keep bees and their human neighbors from coming into conflict.
Council held a public hearing Monday on two proposed zoning amendments, one establishing regulations for honeybee apiaries and another changing requirements for home occupation permits. The amendments could come before council for adoption Aug. 24 or, if action is delayed, Sept. 14.
The apiary amendment would permit beekeeping by right as an accessory use in all zoning districts, provided beekeepers comply with Pennsylvania law and city requirements. Those include registering apiaries with the state Department of Agriculture and obtaining a city zoning permit.
Planning Manager Simon Wangolo said the proposal was reviewed by multiple city departments before the planning commission recommended it to council.
Sustainability Manager Bethany Ayers Fisher said the effort began after the city received an inquiry from a resident wanting to keep a beehive. That prompted officials and the city’s Environmental Advisory Council to examine state regulations and develop local standards.
“It’s not a no. It’s a way to yes,” Ayers Fisher said, explaining that the ordinance would give residents a path to keep bees while allowing the city to know where apiaries are located.
Among other provisions, hives could not be placed in front yards and generally would have to be at least 10 feet from side or rear property lines and buildings on neighboring properties. They also would have to be at least 50 feet from existing permitted swimming pools, kennels or animal shelters.
Properties of at least 2,000 square feet could have two hives, with two additional hives permitted for each additional 2,000 square feet. A property smaller than 2,000 square feet could have one hive with signed consent from all adjacent residents.
Council President Donna Reed, who was reared on a farm where her father kept bees, raised concerns about how the regulations would work in the city’s densely developed neighborhoods, particularly around schools and other areas where children gather.
Still, Reed said she supports the effort, noting growing concerns about the survival of pollinators.
“I think we’re all appreciative of this,” she said. “We all understand the importance of bees and pollinators.”
Councilman O. Christopher Miller questioned whether the 2,000-square-foot threshold should be based on total lot area or the amount remaining after buildings are taken into account.
Ayers Fisher said the proposal uses total lot size but agreed Miller’s suggestion could make a difference.
“That’s certainly something that we can amend real quick,” she said.
Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. also expressed support while sharing Reed’s safety concerns. He asked how complaints would be handled.
Wangolo said complaints would go to the zoning office, which would inspect the situation and, when appropriate, refer matters to the state Department of Agriculture or other authorities.
Kathleen Curran Myers, a member of the Environmental Advisory Council, offered the only public comment. She said the council supports the amendment and noted Reading has at least 15 community gardens that could benefit from additional pollinators.
“This would be a real benefit,” she said.
Home occupations
The other amendment involves home occupations. The zoning ordinance currently requires permits for both major and minor home occupations but waives the fee for minor ones. The amendment would eliminate that exemption.
Baez questioned how the city’s fees were established and whether home-based businesses should be treated differently from brick-and-mortar businesses.
Wangolo said the fee schedule was established during a 2023 review, but the zoning ordinance prevented the city from charging for minor home occupations. He said officials could revisit the fees if concerns arise.
No one else offered public comment on either amendment.