In Santa Rosa, 10-year-old Nicholas Bard’s beekeeping project faced a significant challenge when city officials ordered the removal of his beehive, citing zoning law violations.
The city classified Nicholas’s beekeeping as an “occupation,” which was not permitted under residential zoning regulations. This decision came after an anonymous complaint about insects in the area led officials to the Bard family’s home.
Despite the initial setback, Nicholas and his family, with the help of the Sonoma County Beekeepers Association, rallied support to challenge the city’s decision. The association argued that the zoning code was ambiguous and that exceptions should be made for educational projects like Nicholas’s. The community’s response was overwhelming, with letters and emails flooding City Hall and media coverage highlighting the issue…