Additional Petition Requirement
If the location of the hive is on a multi‐family lot, all families sharing the property must give consent for the hives in addition to the standard 75% already required for the petition.
Education
The permit applicant must show proof of having taken a beekeeping class not more than two years prior to initial application and must utilize beekeeping best practices to ensure that the bees do not become a public nuisance. Class list can be found at: http://www.mnbeekeepers.com/classes.
Number of Colonies
There must be no more than two colonies of bees for every 2,000 square feet of property area, with no more than four (4) colonies on any one property.
Water Source
A water source on the property shall be provided for the bees.
Location of Colonies
The beehive(s) must not be located in the front of a property. They may be no closer than twenty‐five (25) feet to an occupied building on another lot. The hives shall be located at least 10 feet from a property line.
Fencing
Yards housing bees must be fenced. A permit is required to install a fence. Information on fencing permits can be obtained through the Department of Safety and Inspections, (651) 266‐8989. If the fence is not a privacy fence at least 6 feet in height, the applicant may also be required to install a flyway barrier.
Fencing Exemption
Yards that do not border a public right‐of‐way (alley, sidewalk, or street) may request an exemption from the fencing requirement. Applicants for a fencing exemption must provide a separate petition showing that 100% of property owners on abutting lots give consent for the fencing exemption.
Flyway Barriers
Flyway barriers must be used to ensure the bees assume a vertical flight pattern in and out of the hive.
- Flyway barriers must be installed if the colony is less than 25 feet from the property line. The flyway barrier must extend 10 feet in either direction from the hive along the property line.
- Barriers may be made of a wall, fence, or dense vegetation. A combination of these things is permissible.
- Barriers must be a minimum of 6 feet in height.
Fencing
A permit is required to install a fence. Information on fencing permits can be obtained through the Department of Safety and Inspections, (651) 266‐8989.
Signage
The permit applicant must post a clearly visible warning sign, readable a minimum of five feet from the hive, that a beehive is present on the property.
Hive Maintenance
Hives must be kept painted. Unused equipment must be secured to protect from weather, theft, or occupancy by swarms.
Roof Top Hives
Bee hives intended for roof tops shall be located only on flat roofs. Consider the following for roof top hives:
Proposed Layout
The layout of the roof should show the location of the hives, stair access, and guard rails.
- Access to hives must be provided by a permanent stair system, meeting applicable building code standards. Ladders or other similar devices may not be used in place of stairs.
- A guard is required if the hive is within 10’ of the roof edge.
- A layout for a walkway to the hive, depending on the type of roof surface.
- A strapping system to ensure the lid to the hive is kept secure.
Signage
The permit applicant shall post a clearly visible warning sign on the rooftop access door to warn persons accessing the roof that a beehive is present on the rooftop. The rooftop must have secure and limited access. This requirement is in lieu of the above-described signage requirement for ground level hives.
Historic Preservation Commission
Approval is required if the property is located within a historic district or designated site.
Engineering
Engineering may be required to ensure the roof is capable of holding a load for 200‐500 pounds. Consideration should be made to address the stability of the roof due to additional weight, any affect to drainage, affects to the roofing material, etc. These items will not be addressed in the City’s review of the installation but should be addressed by the property owner prior to installation.
Public Nuisance
Care must be taken so as not to cause a public nuisance in your neighborhood.
Inspection
The Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) is authorized to conduct such inspections as it deems necessary to ensure compliance with all provisions of Chapter 198, and shall have right of entry at any reasonable hour to the beehive for this purpose.
Additional Requirements
Site‐specific requirements may be implemented for community gardens, educational institutions, commercial properties, and other sites, as necessary.