Urban agriculture's new buzz LB City Council to ease rules on chickens, goats and bees

CJ Dablo
Staff Writer
Proponents of urban agriculture in Long Beach tasted a new victory at the City Council meeting on June 23. City councilmembers unanimously approved a recommendation to request a change to the municipal rules governing chickens, goats and bees. The city attorney will be required to return to the Council with a new ordinance, which will require two readings to be fully passed.
It’s been a long battle for advocates of urban farming. Two years ago, these advocates, who hoped to relax the rules concerning ownership of those creatures, were disappointed when the Long Beach Council did not approve the ordinance.
This time, new councilmembers at the dais were more open to the idea of allowing these particular farm animals in residential back yards.
Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal is one of the major sponsors of the recommendation.

“I think if you look at all of the progress we’ve made in our city over the last decade,” Lowenthal told the Council, “one thing that we can all say that is a theme about the efforts that we’ve made is one toward healthier eating, active living and sustainable practices.”
The vice mayor explained the proposed changes. Under the current ordinance, residents can have up to 20 chickens at least 50 feet away from other one- or two-family homes or 100 feet away from multi-family dwellings without the need for a permit or inspection. The proposed changes allow up to four chickens that must be kept at least 10 feet from any neighboring dwelling and will not need permit or inspection. Owners of five to 10 chickens must keep them at least 35 feet away from neighboring homes and are required to obtain permits and pre-inspections. Owners of 11 to 20 chickens must keep their birds at least 50 feet from neighboring residences and are required to obtain permits and pre-inspections.
Chicken owners must provide an outdoor enclosure and shelter for their birds.

Lowenthal noted that currently residents can have one goat at least 100 feet away from other homes, but these animals are not allowed south of Anaheim Street. The proposed changes will allow two goats, and owners must keep them at least 10 feet away from neighboring homes. Goats must be neutered if they are male, and all goats must be permitted and micro-chipped. Owners must provide an enclosure and shelter which conform to specific requirements. The restriction against goats kept south of Anaheim Street will also be removed.
There are changes for the beekeepers. Lowenthal said that currently hives must be kept at least 100 feet away from neighboring homes, public streets and highways. The hives must be kept at least 10 feet off the ground. Under the proposed change, up to four hives will be required to be kept at least 10 feet from the property line.
Beekeepers will not be required to obtain a city permit, but they will need to show proof of registration with the County. Hives must be screened so that bees can fly over a six-foot barrier or be placed at least eight feet above ground level. Water sources must be available for the bees.
Several councilmembers asked for clarification before they voted to support the change. City staff and officials noted that there will be a continued prohibition against ownership of roosters and against backyard slaughter.
There was some opposition to the proposed changes from animal-rights advocates during the public-comment period. Wendy Aragon of the Pet Assistance Foundation, an organization that addresses pet overpopulation, warned against the recommended changes to the municipal code.
“Long Beach prides itself on being a safe and humane city for animals and people,” Aragon said. “Let’s keep it this way by voting against this ordinance. We should not just be thinking about sustainability here. I’ve heard that over and over again tonight. We do not need to open up Pandora’s Box to more animal misery.”
Henry Kurland, president of the Long Beach Beekeepers Association, said in an interview that he and his organization have been continually advocating for bees. He owns one beehive in his back yard. Previously, he had owned three beehives, but after a neighbor filed a complaint, the City helped him relocate two of his hives to an area near Willow Springs Park.
“I like the idea [that] I can control our food source,” Kurland said, adding that his home has fruit trees and vegetables that benefit from the bees, which pollinate his garden.

Donna Marykwas shed tears after the Council voted in favor of the changes. She had founded Long Beach Grows, an organization dedicated to educating the public about urban agriculture.
“There’s no reason why you can’t love an animal and also benefit from what it can offer us in terms of food,” Marykwas told the Signal Tribune.
The ordinance is scheduled to come before the Council within the next month.