Apple Valley, MN Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Beekeeping in Apple Valley is decided by how the animal chapter classifies bees. Section 91.01 of the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances defines FARM ANIMAL as any of the various species of domestic animals commonly kept for agricultural purposes, such as horses, cattle, goats, sheep, llamas, potbellied pigs, pigs, and bees. Bees are named outright, so they sit in the same class as livestock.

The operative prohibition is in § 91.06. Division (B) says that, except as otherwise provided elsewhere in the code, no person can keep or harbor any animal other than a household pet or service animal within the city. Division (D)(1)(b) then bars farm poultry and farm animals, with two exceptions: they can be kept on property zoned for agricultural uses, and horses can be kept on property zoned R-1 Single Family Residential with a minimum lot size of 40,000 square feet. Horses are the only residential exception the City Council of Apple Valley, Minnesota, wrote in, and bees are not mentioned in it.

The definition of HOUSEHOLD PET is exclusive: domestic animals kept for non-commercial and non-agricultural purposes, housed within the principal structure, and consisting only of the animals the chapter lists. The only insect entry covers non-poisonous, mostly small arthropods such as butterflies, ants and grasshoppers that are kept caged and kept inside the residence. Division (D)(1)(c) prohibits any animal not defined as a household pet.

On agricultural land the picture changes. The agricultural district permitted uses in § 155.020(A) include all types of agricultural pursuits, including the keeping, raising or production of livestock. The code's fire chapter also refers to bee hives once: § 93.44(A)(4) lists disposal of diseased bee hives as a purpose for which an open burn permit can be issued. The animal chapter as exported prints no penalty section of its own.