Howard County Council Eases Beekeeping Regulations

COLUMBIA, Md. (AP) -- Lawmakers in a suburban Maryland county voted unanimously to ease regulations on beekeeping, inching closer to ending a three-year squabble over the hobby that has become more popular as agriculturally important bee populations have been afflicted by disease.

The Howard County Council voted Monday to allow hives within 25 feet of an adjoining property, 10 feet if a six-foot fence or hedge is installed. Hives currently must be 200 feet from nearby homes.

The Howard County proposal follows a dispute between a couple that keeps six hives in their Columbia backyard and a neighbor.

The bill is expected to be signed by the county executive.

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