Eden Prairie, Minnesota & New Ordinance with the Keeping of Bees

Beekeeping is fun!

 Eden Prairie, MN has finally joined other cities allowing residential beekeeping in their city. The City Council voted on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, to amend the City Code Chapter 9, by adding a new section 9.73 related to keeping honeybees within the city limits, and amending then section 9.08 and 9.11. The ordinance incorporates City Code Chapter 1 and specifically section 9.99 relating to penalties.

This ordinance will take full effect when it is published in the EP News.

The ordinance gives a complete understanding how one can start the process of having honey bees on their residential lot.

1. Mandatory registration of hives at the EP police Department every year.

2.Regulations to where bees can be kept, how many hives

3. Notification of neighbors, and the right of those neighbors to file written comments

4. Keeping equipment well maintained

5. Treating the honey bees well

6. Fruit trees and flowering plants on the site shall not be sprayed when in bloom!Very important aspect!

7. Have a fly away barrier, so bees fly up

 And more!

I think  the ordinance is well written , and clear and resemble many similar ordinances like in Stillwater, and Minneapolis or even other suburbs. 

You can view the City Council discussing the matter at :

SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 9 RELATING TO THE KEEPING OF HONEY BEES AND RESOLUTION APPROVING PUBLICATION OF SUMMARY ORDINANCE

I have also  attached the documents so you can get familiar with the new Ordinance, and be prepared!

Memo & Attachments

Happy Beekeeping! Love you bees!