Backyard beekeeping soon to be legal in Rapid City

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Bee proponents in Rapid City have received some sweet news: Backyard beekeeping is on the way to being legal.

The City Council on July 7 voted unanimously to begin work on revising city rules to allow hobby hives in residential areas, after more than a dozen proponents swarmed the meeting. Beehives currently are allowed only on city properties zoned for agricultural use.

The city’s Legal and Finance Committee earlier denied a request by John and Christine McDowell to allow residential beekeeping, but City Councilman Chad Lewis says comments since then have shown “overwhelming support” for bees.