The South Portland City Council has moved toward approving an updated city ordinance on beekeeping.

The council voted 4-1 in a first reading of the amendment last night. Kay Loring cast the dissenting vote.

The changes include: defining the beekeeper as a resident of South Portland, decreasing the annual permit fee from $50 to $25 and adding the animal control officer as an authorized agent to inspect an apiary.

A second reading, and final approval, is scheduled for May 19.

The changes were proposed after the city received several complaints last summer of a resident keeping bees on his property.