It’s been more than a year since beekeeper Michael Lewis asked the Board of Supervisors to consider a change to the county zoning ordinance that would allow him to keep his apiary at his home in Daleville— a home that’s in an R-1 Residential District.

The board essentially gave Lewis a pass to keep his hives while the county Planning and Zoning Division did a thorough review of the how some limited agriculture uses— like keeping bees— might be incorporated into residential zoned districts.

Earlier this year, the Planning and Zoning Division updated the supervisors on the progress of that review and suggested changes to the zoning ordinance that could allow some agricultural activities in residential districts that could include keeping and raising chickens (excluding roosters), other domestic foul (no guineas or peacocks), honeybees, and other domestic, small-lot animals.

Chickens and beekeeping tend to garner the most interest among families that want to have a small coop or a couple of honeybee hives. In fact, a number of other jurisdictions in the Roanoke Valley have already dealt with the issue and have ordinances that allow some of those uses on residential lots— with restrictions.

Now the Botetourt County Planning and Zoning Division is ready for public input on the county’s proposal and will host an open house on Tuesday, May 8 at 6 p.m. at the Greenfield Education and Training Center.

The meeting is to get feedback from the public regarding the proposed ordinance amendments to permit limited agriculture in certain residential zoning districts.

“Residents are encouraged to come to the meeting to share their thoughts on this effort,” the announcement about the open house says.

A handout prepared for the public outlines the proposed zoning ordinance changes. According to the handout:

• Home agriculture could be permitted on any residential lot that is zoned Rural Residential (RR), Residential R-1, Residential R-2, Residential R-3, Planned Unit Development (PUD) or Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) that contains a single-family detached home. Home agriculture on lots with multi-family dwellings is prohibited.

However, the ordinance will not override covenants, conditions and restrictions or a Homeowners Association standards that may be more restrictive than the proposed ordinance changes..

• The home agriculture use ordinance change does not apply to those who live in a district where agriculture is already allowed, such as Agricultural A-1 or Forest Conservation (FC).

Allowed animals would include:

• Up to 12 of any combination of chickens (hens only) and domestic fowl. Domestic fowl includes quail, ducks, pigeons and doves. Roosters, guinea fowl, geese, peacocks and turkeys are prohibited.
• Up to six rabbits over six months of age and up to 15 under four months of age.
• Up to four beehives on parcels 12,000 square feet in size and one additional beehive for each 2,000 square feet of area.
• Each stable, pen, coop or other place where any animal or fowl is kept has to be maintained at all times in a safe and sanitary condition. Solid and liquid waste matter must be removed to prevent offensive odors or to prevent accumulations constituting a hazard to the health or safety of any person.
• Fencing is required if animals are permitted beyond the confinements of their enclosure. This does not apply to honeybees. Animals are free to roam or graze up to the property line, as long as fencing keeps animals on the owner’s property.
• A predator-resistant structure is required and must be roofed. Fenced- in areas where animals are permitted to roam and graze do not need to be roofed. There are regulations that dictate the size and placement of coops, pens and beehives.
• A building permit is not required for an enclosure that is under 250 square feet. Structures associated with Home Agriculture are limited to 150 square feet. Other permits, such electrical, may be required depending on the scope of the work.
• The county code already has noise restrictions. Allowing any animal (except farm animals in agricultural districts) to create noise that is plainly audible at least once per minute for 10 consecutive minutes inside the confines of the dwelling unit, house or apartment of another or at a distance of 50 feet or more from the animal is prohibited. Roosters are specifically prohibited under Home Agriculture for this reason.
• Neighbors can submit concerns about those not meeting the standards in the Home Agriculture section to the Planning and Zoning Division. Concerns about noise or animal welfare should be directed to the Sheriff’s Office, while concerns over permitted uses and setbacks should be directed to Planning and Zoning.
• At this time, there is no licensing requirement for activities associated with Home Agriculture.

An overview of proposed amendments can be found on the Planning and Zoning website at http://botetourtva.gov/your-government/planning-department/.

Those unable to attend the May 8 meeting may provide comments by email to planning@botetourtva.gov or call 928-2080.