Longmont, CO Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Section 9.04.020, part of chapter 9.04's public-nuisance code, states in full: "The keeping of bees in any greater number than four stands at any one place is a nuisance." Chapter 9.04 defines "nuisance" broadly as "public nuisance... any state of things this Code specifies as a nuisance or public nuisance" (§ 9.04.010), and a fifth hive on a Longmont property falls squarely within that definition.

Because beekeeping is enforced as a nuisance rather than through a licensing scheme, the city follows its standard nuisance-abatement track. An authorized officer who finds the violation gives written notice that must "include a correction order allowing at least 14 days to make the repairs and improvements required to abate the nuisance" and must "inform the property owner of the right to appeal pursuant to chapter 16.30" (§ 9.04.150.B). The notice is posted on the property and, where practicable, mailed to the owner (§ 9.04.150.C). If the excess hives are not removed within the correction period, including any extension for a timely appeal, the city may abate the nuisance itself and bill the owner "the cost, plus a 20 percent administrative service charge," certified as a lien against the property collected "in the same manner as taxes" through the county treasurer (§ 9.04.150.F, G). Where a beekeeping nuisance poses an immediate danger, the city can instead use the emergency abatement track under § 9.04.160, which shortens the correction window and allows an appeal to be heard only after abatement.

Chapter 9.04 sets no dedicated fine for a beekeeping violation, so it falls back to the Code's default: "the court may punish any person convicted of the violation by a fine of up to $500.00 and imprisonment up to 90 days or both" (§ 1.12.010).