Eden Prairie, MN Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Section 9.73, Subdivision 2 makes it unlawful to keep honey bees without registering with the Police Department first, and beekeepers already operating when the section took effect had four weeks to register. On any initial, updated or renewed registration the Chief of Police or a designee may inspect the apiary, and before approving an application the City must notify all owners within 200 feet of the apiary site at least two weeks ahead, allowing written comments to the Police Chief. Subdivision 4 sets siting standards: excluding Rural-zoned lots of 10 acres or more, no hive may sit in a front yard (corner lots count two front yards), and no part of a hive may be within 10 feet of any lot line or within 10 feet of any dwelling unit.

Hives within 25 feet of a lot line generally need a 6-foot flyway barrier of wall, fence or dense vegetation running 10 feet past the hive in each direction, waived for rooftop hives or where the abutting lot is undeveloped or Rural and 10 acres or more. Subdivision 5 caps colonies by lot size, from 2 on a half-acre lot up to 8 on one to five acres, with no cap above five acres or where all lots within 200 feet are undeveloped. Apiaries in the R, R-1 and RM districts must also comply with the City's home occupation rules in Section 11.65.