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