A. Any person owning or operating an apiary that is not located on his own property shall post the name and address of the owner or operator in a conspicuous place in the apiary.
B. A person who operates an apiary in a reasonable manner, in compliance with local zoning restrictions, and in conformance with the written best management practices as provided by regulation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall not be liable for any personal injury or property damage that occurs in connection with his keeping and maintaining of bees, bee equipment, queen breeding equipment, apiaries, or appliances. The limitation of liability established by this section does not apply to intentional tortious conduct or acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or negligence.
C. The limitation of liability in this section shall not take effect until regulations are adopted by the Board. The Board may adopt initial regulations under this section to implement the provisions of this section to be effective no later than November 1, 2016. Such initial regulations shall be exempt from the requirements of Article 2 (§ 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act; however, the Board shall publish proposed regulations in the Virginia Register of Regulations and allow at least 30 days for public comment, to include an online public comment forum on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, after publication. Any amendments to such initial regulations or any subsequent regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall comply with the requirements of Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act. Any regulations adopted shall include best management practices for the operation of apiaries.
2016, c. 564.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food
§ 3.2-4401. Powers and duties of the Board
§ 3.2-4403. Duties of beekeepers
§ 3.2-4404. Duty to notify the State Apiarist of diseased bees
§ 3.2-4405. Entry permit required to bring bees and used bee equipment into Commonwealth; inspection
§ 3.2-4406. Certificate of health to accompany bees in combless packages brought into Commonwealth
§ 3.2-4407. Certificate of health to accompany bill of sale
§ 3.2-4408. Rearing package bees and queens for sale
§ 3.2-4409. Right of entry for inspection and enforcement
§ 3.2-4410. Measures to eradicate and control bee diseases; appeal
§ 3.2-4411. Abandoned apiaries
§ 3.2-4411.1. Apiaries; limitation on liability
§ 3.2-4413. Costs of administering chapter
§ 3.2-4414. Violation of chapter