Keeping honeybees in New York City is no longer against the law: New York City's board of health voted Tuesday to lift a ban against beekeeping,...
New York City's board of health voted Tuesday to lift a ban against beekeeping, legalizing the hives of hundreds of residents who have tended bees in defiance of the law.The unanimous vote amends the health code to allow residents to keep hives of Apis mellifera, the common, nonaggressive honeybee. Beekeepers will be required to register with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and to adhere to appropriate practices. That means they must be able to control bee swarms and ensure that the hives do not interfere with pedestrians or neighbors.Good news. For more on urban beekeeping, have a look at this GOOD video profile of Manhattan beekeeper David Graves.Photo (cc) of Chicago rooftop apiary from Flickr user mindfrieze