Manitou Springs, CO Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

2 of the Land Use and Development Code, part of the Micro-Agricultural Uses chapter, defines apiculture as the raising and care of bees for agricultural or commercial purposes and then makes private beekeeping a use allowed on any parcel in the City no matter what zoning district applies, so a resident does not need a rezoning or conditional use approval just to keep bees. The use standards attach real conditions, though: hives must be located in the rear or side yard, never the front, and beekeepers must follow specific flyway-barrier rules meant to force bees to fly up and over pedestrian and neighbor sight lines rather than straight out at head height.

A flyway barrier must sit within five feet of the hive, extend at least two feet on either side of it, and stand at least six feet tall, placed directly in front of the hive entrance. That barrier requirement is waived only if the hive itself is set back at least twenty-five feet from every property line, or if it is relocated onto a porch or balcony at least ten feet above grade and more than five feet from a property line. Beekeepers must also maintain a fresh water supply on the property so bees are not drawn to congregate at a neighbor's pool, birdbath or irrigation system, and the section flatly prohibits keeping Africanized bees anywhere in the City, a species-specific ban that applies regardless of hive placement or barrier compliance.