Greetings BEE-Ler's ! I have had up to 10 hives in my backyard in sunny Santa Rosa, CA for several years until last spring when we had the most active swarm season I've ever experienced. My neighbor unfortunately was not happy when one of her little kids got stung while I was working a mean hive. Some swarms also lited in her trees over several months. Then they put in a little swimming pool. More kids, more noise, more trouble. Then I got a letter from the city. I had 10 days to remove my hives ( less than six by that time) and my three hens as well. My bees are on county property now, less convenient for me but less hassle. The city laws should protect the residents. The bees were a threat, the result could have been legal action. I think the no-bee law is a good law. If you have bees and your neighbors don't care...great. But if they do protest it's our responcibility to respect their concerns. City animal laws only keep things from getting out of hand. There's no bee police here, just neighbors that don't need another thing to worry about. Harry Sweet