Hurley adopts chickens and bees law
New rules on chickens and bees in Hurley adopted
Town Board members have adopted regulations to cover ownership of chickens and beehives in residential districts.
• Ownership of roosters, guinea hens, and peacocks would be prohibited.
• Chicken coops need to be at least 50 feet from a property line.
• There cannot be excessive odors or unsanitary conditions from the presence of manure.
• Exercise areas must be enclosed to keep chickens from going on to neighboring properties.
Beehives will bee required to have a 25-foot setback from property lines and not be visible from any public right-of-way.
Other rules include:
• Having a barrier or screening that is at least 6 feet tall.
• Treating any hive that has evidence of disease.
• Replacing a queen bee in any colony that exhibits “unusually defensive behavior or an excessive swarming tendency.”
• Using moveable frames for hives and providing adequate space for the bees to prevent swarming.
• Providing a water source on the property to prevent the bees from migrating.
• Limit the number of hives to a “reasonable and manageable number” based on the property’s size, the size of the hive, and the type of bees.
