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There are no State or Federal licensing or training requirements to keep bees. The State does require registration of aperies: however, as proposed, the PMC amendment would exempt beekeepers from registration due to the limited number of hives that would be allowed. Please refer to the California Food and Agriculture Registration Requirements section on page 12 of this report for additional information. Staff's research has found that a majority of those cities and counties that have established regulations for beekeeping require a fanciers permit or registration through an animal services/control division, which is overseen by police departments, or require approval through planning departments. The proposed PMC amendments for beekeeping would require a beekeeper to secure a permit from the City's Planning Division, prior to keeping bees in Pleasanton, and be inspected by the City's code enforcement officer once the bees are on-site. Staff has drafted proposed performance standards, discussed in detail in the Performance Standards section on page 8 of this report. to ensure that beekeepers adhere to the regulations and properly maintain honey bees. The objective of these performance standards is to: 1) ensure that beekeeping is undertaken in a safe manner with minimal impact on neighbors, even in the absence of State or Federal licensing requirements; and 2) establish measurable standards which the City can use to monitor beekeeping and verify that it is being conducted safely. 3. Provide information on measures other communities have undertaken to address unforeseen circumstances surrounding beekeeping. In its outreach to communities with beekeeping regulations, staff did not identify serious concerns or problems related to beekeeping. Likewise, staff did not locate a city that amended its regulations or informally changed its procedures due to beekeeping problems. However, as part of staff's research into beekeeping regulations in other communities, staff identified best beekeeping practices designed to reduce the potential for apiaries to pose a nuisance to neighbors. These best practices have been incorporated into the draft ordinance as performance measures. The Planning Commission work session meeting minutes can be found in Exhibit C for the Commissions reference. Since the October 8, 2014 Planning Commission work session, staff has conducted internet and publication research, watched documentaries on bees and beekeeping, and visited a nearby beehive (in unincorporated Contra Costa County) in order to gain a better understanding of beekeeping. The following is a discussion on honey bees, hives, and the potential benefits and risks of beekeeping. P14-1276, Beekeeping Planning Commission Page 3 of 13