Springfield, OR Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Section 5.412 sits in Article 2 of Chapter 5's Article XI alongside the lot-size rules for fowl, rabbits and larger livestock, and it restricts beekeeping to Low Density Residential (LDR) zoned property the same way Section 5.406 restricts every other farm animal. The hive-count scale runs from a single hive with no minimum lot, to two hives requiring 10,000 square feet, to three or more hives each adding 2,500 square feet of required lot area. Beyond lot size, Section 5.412(2) sets placement standards for bees kept at any residence, community garden, or on school or religious property: hives must sit in the side or rear yard when a main building occupies the lot, and if a hive is within 25 feet of a property line the keeper must either maintain a flyaway barrier at least six feet tall for at least 10 feet in each direction of the hive, or elevate the hive at least 10 feet above ground level.

Noncompliant hives are deemed a public nuisance the city can abate if the keeper does not fix the conditions by the deadline in the notice. The penalty structure escalates with repeat violations: a first violation of Section 5.412 carries a fine of up to $120, a second up to $250, and a third or later violation up to $500, and a third violation also bars the keeper from keeping bees for 10 years.