The bees may be the real winners from a proposed makeover of the rules governing dogs and other animals in Tauranga.

Tauranga City Council's community and culture committee has been re-examining bylaws after consultation with locals. And bees will get a free run.

The committee thinks council should no longer impose a limit on the number of beehives in a residential area.

The Dog Management Bylaw 2018 outlines how the exercise and recreational needs of dogs and their owners are met while minimising the danger, distress or nuisance caused by dogs in public places.

The committee has recommended dogs should be on leash when in Motiti Reserve or the beach in front of Motiti Reserve, between 10am and 5pm, from December 15-February 15 annually. Prohibited areas in Mount Maunganui will remain.

However, dogs on a leash can access the beach at the cenotaph but must remain on leash for 255m past Moturiki or Leisure Island towards Papamoa.

Dogs are prohibited around surf clubs and from all flagged lifeguard areas, and are required to be on a leash and under control in all beachside car parks or beach access ways.

It's also recommended that council should be able to temporarily restrict dog access where necessary to protect wildlife or for events in parks and reserves. Dogs are prohibited from libraries, council service centres, council community centres and indoor sports facilities except if participating in a dog education or training programme.

Dogs classified as menacing must be neutered. No one person can exercise more than four dogs on leash or two dogs off leash at any one time. Dogs can continue to be left unattended outside shops, so long as they are not causing danger, distress or nuisance.

The keeping of animals bylaws 2018 manages poultry, bees, pigs, goats and other stock in Tauranga. It enables residents to keep animals on their property without causing a nuisance to neighbouring residents.
In changes recommended to council, chicken coops must be a minimum of five metres from a neighbouring house.

Horses or cattle must be at least five metres from any dwelling, shop, warehouse, factory, workshop, church or school. Restrictions would no longer apply to adjoining premises. Stock may only be grazed in paddocks with a post and strained wire stock proof fence. Pigs and goats permitted in areas zoned rural only, remains unchanged.