HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Ordinance 2024-05CITY OF PLYMOUTH
ORDINANCE N0. 2024-05
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS 21 OF THE PLYMOUTH CITY CODE, ENTITLED THE
ZONING ORDINANCE, REGARDING THE KEEPING OF BEES (2024008)
THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH ORDAINS:
Section 1.Amendment of City Code. Section 21170.04 of the Plymouth City Code (Animals—
Keeping of Bees) is hereby amended, with existing text,deleted text, and new text, as follows:
21170.04. - Keeping of Bees.
Subd. 1. License Required. No person shall have bees within the City of Plymouth without first
obtaining a Beekeeping License.The procedures and fees for such license shall be as set forth in
Chapter X, Licenses and Permits; Procedures and Fees of the City Code.
Subd. 2. Licensing Process.
a) A Beekeeping License shall only be granted for use in RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, single-family
detached PUD, i-1, 1-2, 1-3 and P-I zoning districts.
b) Application Requirements.
1) A license application shall be signed by the property owner and shall include the
submittal of a site plan and hive plan with the location and specifics of the hives,
setbacks from all property lines and structures, including those on adjacent properties.
The application shall also denote the proposed beekeepers, if different from the
property owner. Any change in this information shall require a new application to the
City.
2) Evidence of completion of the "Beekeeping in Northern Climates" course from the
University of Minnesota or other comparable institution.
3) A bee management plan must accompany the application, including plans for swarm
management, mite and disease treatment, and native pollinator preservation.
c) Upon receipt of a beekeeping application,the City shall follow the process for Home
Occupations under Section 21145.
d) Any selling of honey from the home would require a separate home occupation license
process pursuant to section 21145, in addition to any requirements from the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture Dairy and Food Inspection Division regulations.
e) The City hereby reserves the right upon issuing any beekeeping license to inspect the
premises in which the beekeeping is being conducted to ensure compliance with the
provisions of this section, or any conditions additionally imposed.The City reserves the right
to suspend or revoke any beekeeping license based on failure to comply with this section or
relevant City Code sections, in accordance with the procedures specified in Section 1005.
Subd 3. Hive Requirements.Any person keeping bees within the City of Plymouth under a
license granted under this section shall comply with the following requirements:
Ordinance 2024-05
Page 2
a) Location.
a. On properties in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3 and single-family detached PUD districts,
Colonies colonies shall be on the ground and located in the side or rear yard only
and shall have a setback of at least 10 feet from the side or rear property lines.A 6
foot flyaway barrier shall be provided.
b. On properties in the 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 district, colonies shall be located on rooftops
and placed in the most secluded possible location, as determined by the Zoning
Administrator.
c. On P-I properties, colonies may meet either of the above conditions and are exempt
from the flyaway barrier if the hives are greater than 50 feet from the property line.
b) Water Source. An appropriate water source shall be provided within 10 feet of each colony.
c) Signage.The licensee shall post a clearly visible warning sign indicating that a beehive is
present on the property.The sign shall be between four and eight square feet and oriented
towards the public, as determined by the zoning administrator. No separate sign permit is
required. Industrial signage shall be located on the roof.
d) Number.
a. For properties in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3 and single-family detached PUD districts,
a-c-44 each property may be allowed up to two hives at initial permit submission,
with the potential to increase to four in the spring to accommodate hive expansion.
b. For properties in the I-1, 1-2, 1-3, and P-I districts, each property may be allowed up
to 8 hives at initial permit submission, with the potential to increase to 16 hives in
the spring to accommodate hive expansion. Each grouping of 16 hives must be at
least 1 mile from any other 16 hives.
e) Neighborhood Beekeeping. Common spaces on residential, homeowners association
maintained properties, properties zoned Public/Institutional,or properties owned by the
City, are eligible for a beekeeping license if:
a. All other requirements of this section are met.
b. One main beekeeper shall be identified as an ongoing point of contact,willing to
respond to any questions or concerns with the ongoing operations of the hive(s).
c. The colony is located a minimum of 50 feet from public trails.
Section 2. Effective Date. This amendment shall take effect immediately upon its passage.
APPROVED by the City Council on this 26th day of March, 2024.
Jeffry Wosje, Mayor
ATTEST:
Amy tschalk, Deputy City Clerk