The City of Shakopee has been contacted by several residents interested in keeping bees on urban residential lots. Like backyard chickens, there is recent interest in local food sources, small scale agriculture, and the important role of bees in the pollination of plants and providing honey and other useful products.

Currently, beekeeping is only permitted in the Agricultural Preservation and Rural Residential Zoning districts, which are typically 2.50 acre lots and larger. At this time there are no specific requirements related to beekeeping in the zoning ordinance for setbacks and limits on number of colonies. Planning staff are not aware of any complaints regarding the keeping of bees in the Agricultural Preservation or Rural Residential zoning districts.

Planning staff researched multiple city ordinances when considering a draft ordinance for Shakopee. Many cities in the Twin Cities permit beekeeping in all zoning districts. Ordinances reviewed include: Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Chanhassen, Edina, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Savage. Staff also consulted a model ordinance drafted by the Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association.

The proposed ordinance for Shakopee is under the animal regulations (Section 130.04) and is attached. The amendment includes definitions that pertain to beekeeping. Many of the ordinances reviewed use the same or similar definitions and impose limits on hive setback and number of colonies permitted based on lot size.  Main definitions of note for purposes of this report are below:

Colony:  An aggregate of honey bees consisting principally of workers, but having, when perfect, one queen and at times drones, brood, combs, and honey.

Hive: The receptacle inhabited by a colony.

Flyway Barrier: A solid fence, wall, or dense vegetation at least 6’ in height that continues parallel to the apiary site lot line at least 10’ in each direction from the colony, that requires bees to fly over, rather than through the barrier. Depending on the barrier type and construction, or location, additional permitting may be required prior to installation.

Bees prefer to travel directly to the plants they pollinate, so a flyway barrier is used to encourage bees to either travel upward over the barrier, or travel a different direction away from the barrier. Honeybees are more docile compared to other breeds and typically only sting when they or their hive are threatened. European stock is considered docile and is a requirement in the draft ordinance.  

The Cities of Bloomington and Savage do not require licenses or permits for beekeeping. Planning staff contacted both the Cities of Bloomington and Savage about their experience with permitting beekeeping without requiring registration or licenses. In their experience, they have not had any issues allowing beekeeping in all zoning districts, which is why the draft ordinance does not include provisions for licensing or permits to reduce necessary paperwork and expense for both residents and staff for something that isn't controversial, provided certain conditions are met.

At the January 3rd Planning Commission meeting, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the ordinance, with the addition of a registration requirement. Staff intends to draft a free one-time registration application for properties where hives are located.