Proposal to Allow Beekeeping in Butte Headed to Commissioners

Proposal to Allow Beekeeping in Butte Headed to Commissioners

A proposal to permit hobby beekeeping in Butte-Silver Bow County is making progress and is set to be discussed by City-County Commissioners in the coming week.

The proposed ordinance change, if enacted, would exclusively grant property owners in Butte-Silver Bow County, with a minimum lot size of 9,000 square feet, the right to maintain one observation hive. Additionally, the number of hives would be limited to a maximum of 10 for parcels exceeding five acres.

Local residents who have a keen interest in beekeeping have been actively developing this plan for over a year. They emphasize that there are several safety measures in place to protect the community. Notably, the proposal includes a provision prohibiting individuals with documented bee allergies in proximity from maintaining hives.

Jennifer McCloskey, co-founder of Butte’s Beekeeper Club, underlines the necessity of providing bees with access to flowers and pollinating plants for nourishment. As a result, having adequate space to establish a beehive is crucial.

This proposal has already received approval from Butte’s Animal Services Board and, more recently, from the County Commissioners’ Judiciary Committee. The final language of the proposal is currently being fine-tuned by Butte’s County Attorney.

The issue will be discussed in an upcoming City-County Commissioners meeting, and it remains a subject of continued interest and tracking by the local community.

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