Rapid City, SD Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

20, adopted by Ord. 6010 in 2015, treats hobby beekeeping as a by-right accessory use with specific siting rules rather than a permit process. 020 bars any hive within 15 feet of a dwelling that is not on the same lot as the hive, and hives cannot sit inside a zoning setback under Title 17 or inside a drainage easement; the back of the hive must face away from the nearest property line, sidewalk or right-of-way unless screening such as a fence or hedge blocks the sightline.

030 requires a constant water source for the bees so they do not congregate at neighbors' water, ongoing hive management to prevent nuisance conditions, and prompt sealed disposal of comb and other robbing-prone material. 040 caps density at 4 colonies per lot, with 1 nucleus colony allowed for every 2 authorized colonies (each nucleus colony must be combined or disposed of within 30 days); a lot loses the 4-colony cap entirely if every hive sits at least 200 feet from all property lines. 060. 16 and require the beekeeper to relocate or destroy every hive within 30 days of a final nuisance determination.