In Lewis County, no cities restrict beekeeping: the City of Chehalis used to prohibit beekeeping in city limits, but LCBA worked with the City Council in 2016 to remove these restrictions. Chehalis and all Lewis County, however, are subject to Washington State RCWs related to bees and beekeeping:
For Washington State Apiary Regulations, visit: http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=15.60
For Washington State Honey Standards & Marketing Regulations, visit: http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=69.28
For the Washington State Honey Bee Commission, visit: http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=15.62
For most hobbyist beekeepers, the primary regulation to keep in mind is that beekeepers are required by Washington State law to register their hives with the Washington State Department of Agriculture. For the 2018 form & rates, visit: https://agr.wa.gov/FP/Forms/PP/docs/6116-ApiaryRegistration_2018.pdf
LCBA encourages beekeepers to be good neighbors. Please do not situate beehives where the bees' flight path will be a straight shot into a neighbor's yard, and please exercise due diligence in managing bees to prevent swarms. Remember, many people fear bee stings, and some may be seriously allergic: neighbors may benefit from knowing the facts on our Bee Stings page. Giving a neighbor a jar of honey is a great way to get neighbors excited about your keeping bees! If you have questions, please contact secretary@lcba.community.
Interested in learning more about bees & laws? Visit the Washington State Beekeepers' Association, which works with the Washington State legislature to advocate for honey bee health and beekeepers' rights: http://wasba.org/wa4bees_legislative_action/ You can also contact Tim Hiatt, WSBA legislative chair, at legislativechair@wasba.org
