Beekeeping Operational Guidelines

Revised 11/15/18

The Board of Directors of The Reserve at Chadds Ford Community Association (“HOA”) created the following to guide the HOA on how best to respond to residents that desire to participate in beekeeping activity on their property.

Background

    This policy was developed with consideration for:

  • The Legal Liability that could be imposed upon the HOA; and

  • Being a “good neighbor” by attempting to assess if the interest of one resident is offensive or poses a hazardous condition to another resident.

Policy Outline

    Beekeeping Operational/Approval Guidelines are as follows:

  1. The activity is limited to residents only.

  2. Under no circumstances is the placement of hives permitted on HOA property. All hives must be placed on the resident’s property and placed at least twenty (20) yards from the resident’s property line.

  3. If a resident wishes to partake in this activity, notification should be made to the Board in writing.

  4. Notification should include the following:

    1. A copy of the registration filed with the Department of Agriculture for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    2. Any neighbor within 100 yards of the hive and, at a minimum, property owners immediately adjacent to the property where the hives are to be kept should approve of the activity in writing. Written copies of their approval should be submitted with the notification.

  5. Residents are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with the content of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bee Law (Act of December 12, 1994, P.L. 903, No. 131) (3PA.C.S.A. 2101-2117), as amended and/or superseded by Federal Law, and if applicable, to always comply with the act.

  6. Inspection Certificates, if applicable, issued by the Department of Agriculture for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should be filed with the Board annually.