Spokane Valley, WA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

The 4,356-square-foot ratio works out to one hive per tenth of an acre, so a standard 10,000-square-foot residential lot supports roughly two hives while a full acre could support up to ten, though the City does not state an outright cap on total hives beyond that ratio. 020(A)(9)(c) calls for a solid wall, solid fencing material, dense vegetation, or a combination of the three, at least six feet high, running parallel to the side or rear property line and extending beyond the hives in both directions, so that bees are forced to climb to at least six feet of elevation before crossing onto a neighbor's property.

Beekeepers also have to keep a water source close to the hives under subsection (A)(9)(d), a detail meant to keep thirsty bees away from neighboring pools, pet bowls, and irrigation. Certification by the Washington State Beekeepers Association is a standing requirement under subsection (A)(9)(e), not a one-time application step. 65 SVMC standards apply on top of the zoning approval, while "Beekeeping, commercial" is listed as a separate, distinct use category rather than falling under the hobby standards described here.