Sparks, NV Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Section 20.03.048, Sparks' urban agriculture standards, folds beekeeping in as one of the accessory uses residents may keep alongside chickens and small-scale food production. Subsection B(3) allows apiaries as an accessory use in the SF, MF, MUD-MR and MUD-RN zoning districts, and sets six hard limits: no hive may exceed 20 cubic feet in volume or five feet in height, no more than two hives are allowed per parcel, no hive may sit closer than five feet to a property line, every hive needs a constant water supply, and a six-foot fence must be installed to act as a flyway, forcing bees to climb above head height before crossing into a neighbor's yard.

Because apiary keeping is listed as an accessory use rather than a principal use, it skips the business license, on-site sales restriction and informational sign requirements that apply when urban agriculture is the primary use of a property (B.1). It is not, however, exempt from the city's separate Animal ordinance; subsection A(2) confirms urban agriculture uses, including beekeeping, still must comply with the Animal chapter of Title 20 in addition to these standards. Property owners installing hives that exceed two per parcel, skip the flyway fence, or crowd a hive within five feet of a neighbor's property line are out of compliance with this section regardless of how the bees themselves behave.