Lakeville, MN Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Beekeeping in Lakeville is governed by the Keeping Animals provisions of Zoning Code Section 11-35-3. Honey bees and apiaries are treated as a permitted accessory use in agriculture/rural and residential districts, but a resident must first obtain an approved interim use permit. The University of Minnesota Bee Lab's ordinance summary confirms that Lakeville beekeeping is allowed with an interim use permit reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission. Because an interim use permit is required, the application is a public process: neighbors are notified before approval. When the city adopted its backyard-bee rules, reporting on the ordinance described a tiered colony limit based on lot size - up to two colonies on lots of 25,000 square feet or less, four colonies on lots over 25,000 up to 40,000 square feet, six colonies on lots over 40,000 square feet up to five acres, and eight colonies on lots of five acres or more - and prohibited hives in front yards. Residents should verify the current colony limits and setbacks for their specific lot size directly with the Lakeville Planning Department, since the exact numbers are tied to the permit and zoning standards. Minnesota does not preempt local beekeeping regulation, so Lakeville's permit requirement controls within the city.