Sioux City, IA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Sioux City's apiary rules sit in Title 25 (Zoning and Sign Code) at https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/siouxcity-ia/doc-view.aspx?tocid=025, which allows beekeeping as a conditional use in the Agriculture (AG) district subject to a 200-foot setback from schools and all types of daycare facilities. All bee colonies must be kept in hives with removable combs, located at least five feet from any property line. Where a colony is situated within 25 feet of a property line or an area used for public recreation or assembly, the beekeeper must establish and maintain a flyway barrier at least six feet in height — a solid wall or fence parallel to the property line, extending ten feet beyond the colony in each direction — so that bees are forced to fly at least six feet above ground level. Beekeepers must ensure a convenient water source is always available to bees, and no combs or robbing-attractant materials may be left on the ground. The Iowa Bee Law at Iowa Code Chapter 160 (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/160.pdf) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Apiary Program (https://iowaagriculture.gov/entomology-plant-science-bureau/apiary) authorize voluntary registration with the State Apiarist. Registration is free and primarily supports disease tracking and the FieldWatch/BeeCheck program that protects registered hives from pesticide drift between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on blooming crops within one mile. Iowa is a leading apiary state and the Iowa Honey Producers Association provides mentoring statewide.