Although we try to keep this as up to date and accurate as possible, we recommend that you connect with your local authority to verify all information regarding bee ordinances. If you have additions or changes that should be made to this information please email the Bee Squad ([email protected]).
Fellow bee lovers, it seemed that it might be useful to have an index of local bee ordinances.
If you are unable to find your city below, then try the following advice. First, find a city's code of ordinances. Usually the code of ordinances can be accessed through Google, however it may only be accessed through a city’s website. Once you access the code of ordinances, there is typically a search box at the top of the page to type in keywords. Start by typing in “bee” or “animal” or “chicken” (beekeeping and backyard chicken ordinances are often written together) in the search function. This method works most of the time to find info in a city code about beekeeping. Otherwise, getting in touch with a city council member may be the best way to determine ordinances that aren’t listed.
Information current as of date shown.
| City | County | Ordinance Citation | Ordinance Language | Contact Information | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andover | Anoka | Title 5, Chapter 1, Section (d) | Must be zoned R1, R2, or R3 and have at least two acres. | (763) 755-5100 | 8-1-13 |
| Anoka | Anoka | Section 10-2 | Bees are not mentioned in the city code, but the city planner said she would consider honey bees to be "non-domesticated" animal. The code prohibits non-domesticated or farm animals within City limits. | (763) 576-2700 | 8-1-13 |
| Apple Valley | Dakota | Currently, no ordinance on bees. However, code prohibits non-domestic animals, and City interprets bees as non-domestic. City is revising the ordinance to expressly prohibit bees. | (952) 953-2500 | 8-1-13 | |
| Arden Hills | Ramsey | Chapter 13, 25.07 | Bees are considered farm animals and are allowed within city limits as long as the lot meets the set back requirements (which depend upon how the hive is constructed). | (651) 792-7800 | 8-1-13 |
| Bayport | Washington | Section 14 | Honey bees are not allowed within City limits. | (651) 275-4404 | 8-1-13 |
| Blaine | Anoka | Section 14-225 | Areas zoned residential may not have honey bees. Areas zoned agricultural may have honey bees. | (763) 785-6122 | 8-1-13 |
| Bloomington | Hennepin | City Code 12.116.01 | Bees allowed with restrictions. | 6-11-19 | |
| Blue Earth | Faribault | Sub-Section 360.16 | Bees allowed with restrictions and permit | 12-30-20 | |
| Brooklyn Center | Hennepin | Section 1-140 | Bees are allowed with restrictions and registration | (763) 569-3300 | 6-11-19 |
| Brooklyn Park | Hennepin | Section 92.50 | Honey bees are permitted in lots over 5 acres. Other require registration. | (763) 424-8000 | 11-24-15 |
| Burnsville | Dakota | Section 6-2-20 | Honey bees are prohibited in all parts of Burnsville. | (952) 895-4400 | 2-8-17 |
| Carver | Carver | Section 1005.02 | Codicil 1 allows animals not listed under Section 1005.02 in city limits as long as they are not a nuisance. Therefore, honey bees are allowed as long as they are not a nuisance. | (952) 448-5353 | 8-1-13 |
| Centerville | Anoka | Chapter 90.02(B) | "Licensing Honey Bees. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, a person may keep honey bee colonies on any premises after first obtaining a license as provided in this subsection. No license shall be issued except in compliance of this section. (1) Lot size shall be a minimum of one-half acre; (2) No more than two honey bee colonies shall be allowed; (3) Hives shall be setback from property lines a minimum of 25 feet; (4) Applicant must document at least 16 hours of training in beekeeping, and (5) the colony shall be maintained in good order and not be a nuisance to any member of the public." | (651) 429-3232 | 8-1-13 |
| Champlin | Hennepin | Honey bees are not mentioned within Champlin's ordinances. The City would allow honey bees as long as they were not a nuisance and the neighbors were on board. | (763) 421-8100 | 8-1-13 | |
| Chanhassen | Hennepin and Carver | Chapter 5, article IV | Bees allowed by permit. | (952) 227-1100 | 11-8-18 |
| Chaska | Carver | Chapter 5, Section 82 | The Chaska Police Department is in charge of code enforcement. Police officer told me they would allow a honey bee hive as long as it didn't bother the neighbors. | (952) 448-9200 | 8-1-13 |
| Circle Pines | Anoka | Section 320.02(B) | "Licensing Honey Bees. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, a person may keep honey bee colonies on any premises after first obtaining a license as provided in this subsection. No license shall be issued except in compliance of this section. (1) Lot size shall be a minimum of one-half acre; (2) No more than two honey bee colonies shall be allowed; (3) Hives shall be setback from property lines a minimum of 25 feet; (4) Applicant must document at least 16 hours of training in beekeeping, and (5) the colony shall be maintained in good order and not be a nuisance to any member of the public." | (763) 784-5898 | 8-1-13 |
| Coon Rapids | Anoka | 6-800 | Beekeeping Ordinance Chapter 6-800 | 12/1/23 | |
| Corcoran | Hennepin | Section 1020.020: bees are agricultural use. Allowed in areas zoned for agricultural use. Other areas with restrictions. | (763) 420-2288 | 3-6-19 | |
| Cottage Grove | Washington | Section 11-3-7 | Bees are considered a farm animal and are allowed on properties of 5 or more acres. Section defining "farm animal" is 11-1-3. | (651) 458-2800 | 8-1-13 |
| Crystal | Hennepin | City ordinances do not cover bees. Therefore, bees are allowed. | (763) 531-1000 | 8-1-13 | |
| Dayton | Wright and Hennepin | Section 1001.42 subd.8(1)(e) | Honey bees are prohibited in areas zoned residential - Old Village, residential - mobile home, industrial and business, unless you have a conditional use permit. | (763) 427-4589 | 8-1-13 |
| Duluth | St. Louis | 1959-6-80 | Ok in areas zoned rural;. Others require license. | 11-23-15 | |
| Eagan | Dakota | Section 10.12 | Honey bees may be kept on properties in areas that are zoned agricultural and have a minimum of five acres. Or by permit. | 3-6-15 | |
| Eden Prairie | Hennepin | Chapter 9 Section 9.73 ordinance no 2-2014 | No beekeeper shall keep honey bees in the City without a current registration from the City of Eden Prairie Police Department. | (952) 949-6200 | 1-30-14 |
| Edina | Hennepin | Section 300.11 | Bees are allowed with permit. | 10-1-15 | |
| Elko New Market | Scott | Section 6-4-5 | Section 6-4-2 Honeybees are considered a farm animal. Section 6-4-5 states, "Farm animals shall be kept only in areas approved under the city zoning ordinance." | 8-1-13 | |
| Excelsior | Hennepin | Section 6-4 | Ordinance defines "undomesticated animal" as "any animal, mammal, amphibian, or reptile, which is of a species which is wild by nature or of a species which due to size, vicious nature, or other characteristics is inherently dangerous to human beings." "Any person may own, keep, harbor, or maintain any nondomesticated animal, provided that it weighs less than 50 pounds." | 8-1-13 | |
| Falcon Heights | Ramsey | Section 113-3 | Honey bees are defined as a farm animal. Farm animals are not allowed to be harbored within the city. The Falcon Heights City Council looked into a honey bee ordinance last year but ultimately did not pass it. | (651) 792-7600 | 8-1-13 |
| Faribault | Rice | 2017-4 | Bees allowed by permit | 5-30-18 | |
| Farmington | Dakota | 6-4-2 | Allowed with restrictions http://sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=463&chapter_id=2... | 7-23-18 | |
| Forest Lake | Washington | Although not expressly listed in the ordinance, honey bees are considered "farm animals," so they are allowed in areas zoned agricultural and on lots of five or more acres. | (651) 762-6300 | 8-1-13 | |
| Fridley | Anoka | Section 101.05 | Allowed by license. application at FridleyMN.gov. Class on beekeeping required. | (763) 571-3450 | 5-11-18 |
| Golden Valley | Hennepin | Section 10.32 | Honey bees are defined as a farm animal. Farm animals are not allowed to be harbored within the city. | 8-1-13 | |
| Grand Meadow | Mower | Section 91.2 | Bees allowed with some restrictions | 2-11-20 | |
| Ham Lake | Anoka | No known restrictions. | 2-14-21 | ||
| Hastings | Dakota and Washington | Chapter 91.01 | Bees are not mentioned in the city code, so they are permitted. City planner warned that if the bees stung people or upset the neighbors, they could be removed through the public nuisance ordinance (Section 95.20). | (651) 480-2350 | 8-1-13 |
| Hibbing | St. Louis | Section 10.23 | Honey bees are defined as a farm animal. Farm animals are not allowed to be harbored within the city. | 2-8-17 | |
| Hopkins | Hennepin | Hopkins Code of Ordinances does not address honey bees, so they interpret that to mean they are not permitted. | 952-548-6303 | 2-8-17 | |
| Hugo | Washington | Although not expressly listed in the ordinance, honey bees are considered "farm animals," so they are allowed in areas zoned agricultural and on lots of five or more acres. | (651) 762-6300 | 8-1-13 | |
| Independence | Hennepin | 510.05 subd. 46 | Defines bees as "livestock." Bees are allowed in areas which are zoned agricultural. | (763) 479-0527 | 8-1-13 |
| Inver Grove Heights | Dakota | Section 10-2-2 | Bees are allowed in areas zoned agricultural or estate. | (651) 450-2500 | 8-1-13 |
| Jordan | Scott | Section 92-31-2 | Permit required. | (952) 492-2535 | 2-26-24 |
| Lake Elmo | Washington | Title 9, Chapter 95.71 | Honey bees are allowed on property five acres or more. Permit required for under 5 acres. | (651) 747-3900 | 10-1-15 |
| Lake St. Croix Beach | Washington | No online ordinances | (651) 436-7031 | 8-1-13 | |
| Lakeville | Dakota | Chpt 35/11-35-3 | Allowed with an interim Use Permit. Application fee is $500 (ouch!) and must be presented to and approved by the Planning Commission. The City of Lakeville contact is Daryl Morey, Planning Director, 952-985-4422. | 6-11-19 | |
| Lauderdale | Ramsey | Section 5-3-1 | Bees are defined as a farm animal. City ordinance 5-3-4-1 requires a permit to have a farm animal. | (651) 792-7650 | 8-1-13 |
| Lilydale | Dakota | Section 801.01 | It's unclear if bees are allowed or not in the ordinances, and no one at the City returned my phone messages. | (651) 457-2316 | 8-1-13 |
| Lino Lakes | Anoka | Zoning | Restricted to agricultural zoned land | 11-23-15 | |
| Long Lake | Hennepin | Honey bees are not mentioned in the Code. City of Long Lake's general position is if it is not expressly allowed, it is prohibited. | (952) 473-6961 | 8-1-13 | |
| Lonsdale | Rice | S90.01 | Beekeeping allowed by permit. | (507) 744-2327 | 1-2-18 |
| Mahtomedi | Washington | Chapter 3.02 | "No person may keep within the City any of the following: any hive or other facility for the housing of bees." | (651) 426-3344 | 8-1-13 |
| Maple Plain | Hennepin | Honey bees are not mentioned in the Code. City of Maple Plain's general position is that they are allowed, but are subject to the nuisance ordinance. | (763) 479-0515 | 8-1-13 | |
| Maplewood | Ramsey | Ordinance 978 | Allowed with setback requirements. Bees are allowed unless they become a nuisance. | (651) 249-2000 | 11-13-18 |
| Marine on St. Croix | Washington | Chapter 5 | City of Marine on St. Croix does not have an ordinance about honey bees. The City's position is that they are allowed unless they are a nuisance. | (651) 433-3636 | 8-1-13 |
| Medicine Lake | Hennepin | Section 200.2(7)(b) | Bees are classified as farm animals. Must get a conditional use permit to have bees. | (763) 542.9701 | 8-1-13 |
| Mendota Heights | Dakota | Ordinance 448, not yet codified | Brand new ordinance: Bee keeping is allowed on properties of fifty (50) acres or more. | (651) 255-1153 | 8-1-13 |
| Minneapolis | Hennepin | Section 74.80 | Must get a permit from Minneapolis Animal Care and Control. | 8-1-13 | |
| Minnetonka | Hennepin | No ordinance on bees, so bees are allowed unless they are a nuisance. | (952) 939-8200 | 8-1-13 | |
| Village of Minnetonka Beach | Hennepin | Section 508(C)(28)(b) | "No person shall keep or allow to be kept any hive or other facility for the housing of honeybees." | (952) 471-8878 | 8-1-13 |
| Minnetrista | Hennepin | Section 1110.09 | Bees are considered farm animals. "Farm animals may only be kept in A or AP zoning districts, or in a residential lot of at least ten acres in size provided that farm animals on said residential lots are not sheltered within 300 feet of an adjoining piece of property." | (952) 446-1660 | 8-1-13 |
| Moundsview | Ramsey | Title 700 Chapt 701 | Bees allowed by permit. | 9-25-15 | |
| New Brighton | Ramsey | Honey bees require permit | (651) 638-2100 | 6-1-15 | |
| Newport | Washington | Section 600.21 | Honey bees are considered a farm animal. Must have a permit from the City Council. Lot size must be at least four acres. Must provide written notification to occupied property owners situated within 250 feet from the hive. Additional standards of practice listed in Section 600.21 subd. 3(F)(4). | (651) 459-5677 | 8-1-13 |
| North St. Paul | Ramsey | Section 95.23 | Honey bees are classified as a farm animal. No farm animals are allowed within city limits. | 8-1-13 | |
| Oak Park Heights | Washington | Section 602.02(B) | Honey bees are classified as a farm animal. Farm animals are only permitted in areas zoned O - Open Space Conservation District and also need a conditional use permit. | (651) 439-4439 | 8-1-13 |
| Oakdale | Washington | Section 4-18 | "No person shall keep or allow to be kept any man-made or manufactured hive or other facility for the housing of bees within the city without a permit." | (651) 739-5086 | 8-1-13 |
| Orono | Hennepin | Section 62-1 | Honey bees are classified as a farm animal and are allowed in areas zoned for agriculture. | (952) 249-4600 | 8-1-13 |
| Osseo | Hennepin | Chapter 93.18(z) | City code states that any caring for any non-domestic animal is a public nuisance, so beekeeping currently is not allowed. However, City Attorney said the City might be open to a resident asking for a variance or trying to change the ordinance. | (763) 425-2624 | 8-1-13 |
| Plymouth | Hennepin | Zoning Ordinance 21170.04 | The Plymouth City Council approved an amendment to the city’s animal ordinance in August 2023. The amended ordinance now allows for the keeping of bees on residential and public/institutional properties. Residents may possess up to two hives per residential or HOA property. A permit is required for all beekeeping. | (763) 509-5000 | 8-1-2023 |
| Prior Lake | Scott | Allowed with restrictions | (952) 447-9800 | 3-6-19 | |
| Richfield | Hennepin | Section 906 | Bees are allowed with restrictions and permit. | (612) 861-9702 | 11-13-20 |
| Robbinsdale | Hennepin | Section 917 | "It is unlawful to keep or maintain roosters or bees, without first having obtained a permit therefor." | (763) 537-4534 | 8-1-13 |
| Rogers | Hennepin | Section 125-1 | Bees are classified as a farm animal and are allowed in areas zoned agricultural. | (763) 428-2253 | 8-1-13 |
| Rosemount | Dakota | No ordinance on honey bees, so they are allowed. | (651) 322-2022 | 8-1-13 | |
| Roseville | Ramsey | No ordinance on honey bees, so they are allowed. The City reserves the right to regulate location and fencing in the future. | (651) 792-7000 | 8-1-13 | |
| Sauk Rapids | Benton | Section 4.10, Subd.22(C) | Permits beekeeping limited to six hives. | (320) 258-5300 | |
| St. Anthony Village | Hennepin | No ordinance on honey bees, so City of St. Anthony Village's position is that they are not allowed. | (612) 782-3301 | 8-1-13 | |
| St. Francis | Anoka | Section 8-3-5 | "Bees shall not be kept on parcels smaller than five (5) acres in size. No parcel shall have more than one hive or colony housing structure not to exceed three (3) feet in size in any dimension unless it is an agricultural use. All hives shall be of the removable frame type. All hives shall be kept one hundred (100) feed from any property line." | (763) 753-2630 | 8-1-13 |
| St. Louis Park | Hennepin | Bees are not addressed in city ordinance, so they are allowed as long as they are not a nuisance. | (952) 924-2500 | 8-1-13 | |
| St. Paul | Ramsey | Chapter 198.02(d) | "No person shall keep or allow to be kept any hive or other facility for the housing of bees within the city without a permit." | (651) 266-8989 | 8-1-13 |
| St. Paul Park | Washington | Ordinance #694 | Honey bees are allowed; must get a permit and obey set back ordinance. | (651) 459-9785 | 8-1-13 |
| Savage | Scott | Section 91.01(2) | Bees are classified as a farm animal. Under Section 91.04, farm animals are "allowed only as a legal non-conforming use where a similar use occurred before the most recent change in the Zoning Code and continues consistently thereafter." | (952) 882-2660 | 8-1-13 |
| Shakopee | Scott | Section 11.02(5)(B) | Bees are classified as an "agricultural use" and allowed in areas zoned rural residential or agricultural. Other areas with restrictions. | (952) 233-9300 | 8-1-13 |
| Shoreview | Ramsey | Section 601.020(E) | Bees are allowed with restrictions and permit required | (651) 490-4600 | 12-4-17 |
| Shorewood | Hennepin | Section 705.09 | Bees are classified as an "urban farm animal." Section 705.09 subd 2(h) states, "The number of bee hives shall not exceed four." | (952) 960-7900 | 8-1-13 |
| South St. Paul | Dakota | Section 15-1(3) | Bees are listed as a farm animal. Section 15-3 states, "It shall be illegal for any person to own, possess, harbor, or offer for sale, any farm animals within city limits…" | (651) 554-3200 | 8-1-13 |
| Spring Park | Hennepin | Bees are not allowed in city limits. | (952) 471-9051 | 8-1-13 | |
| Stillwater | Washington | Section 27-3 | Bees are allowed in city limits as long as you have a permit. The ordinance sets forth a number of rules and regulations. | (651) 430-8800 | 8-1-13 |
| Sunfish Lake | Dakota | Section 1225.01 | Bees are considered farm animals. Only the farm animals expressly listed (such as bees) are allowed in the City of Sunfish Lake as long as you get a permit. | (763) 231-2555 | 8-1-13 |
| Victoria | Carver | Chapter 30, Article VIII, Section 30-313(13) | Bees are only allowed in areas zoned agricultural and if you get a conditional use permit. | (952) 443-4210 | 8-1-13 |
| Virginia | St. Louis | Honey bees are defined as a farm animal. Farm animals are not allowed to be harbored within the city. | 2-8-17 | ||
| Waconia | Carver | Section 710.15 subd. 1 | Bees are considered farm animals, so they are allowed in areas zoned agricultural. | (952) 442-2184 | 8-1-13 |
| Wayzata | Hennepin | No ordinance, so bees are allowed unless they are a nuisance. | (952) 404-5300 | 8-1-13 | |
| West St. Paul | Dakota | Section 905.15 subd. 3 | Bees are allowed. The only requirement is that the hives are at least 100 feet from neighboring houses. Some lots are too small to comply with this requirement. | (651) 552-4100 | 8-1-13 |
| White Bear Lake | Ramsey and Washington | Section 702.045 | Bee keeping is allowed in City limits as long as you have a license. | (651) 429-8526 | 8-1-13 |
| Woodbury | Washington | Section 24-4 | Bees are considered "livestock" and they are allowed on property of five or more acres in areas zoned rural residential or existing farmstead. | (651) 714-3500 | 8-1-13 |
Thank you to Best & Flanagan law firm and former University of Minnesota law student Ashleigh Leitch for their help on compiling the list of ordinances.