Milton, WI Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Hive cap
- Maximum two hives per parcel (Sec. 6-233(b))
- Species
- Apis mellifera honeybees only
- Dwelling setback
- 25 feet from neighboring homes, decks, pools
- Flyway barrier
- 6-foot barrier within 20 feet of a property line
- Notice radius
- Neighbors within 200 feet get 14-day objection notice
Summary
The City of Milton bans honeybee hives on non-agricultural land unless the keeper obtains a city permit, caps hives at two per parcel, and imposes setbacks and a flyway barrier that neighbors can contest at a common council hearing.
No person may keep honeybees on property not zoned agricultural without compliance with all of the requirements of this article. ... (a)Only honeybees which are of the Eastern European genus of Apis mellifera are permitted.(b)Maximum of two hives per parcel. ... (e)Hives and related structures that form the apiary must have a minimum 20-foot front yard setback and a minimum ten-foot side yard and ten-foot rear yard setbacks unless the owner of the adjoining parcel has provided written permission for closer placement.(f)Hives must be located a minimum of 25 feet from dwellings, porches, gazebos, decks, swimming pools, permanently affixed play equipment and other habitable areas on adjoining parcels unless the owner of the adjoining parcel has provided written permission for closer hive placement.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-230 of the Milton Code of Ordinances prohibits keeping honeybees on property not zoned agricultural without complying with all of Article VIII's requirements. Sec. 6-231 requires a city permit for any hive, and Sec. 6-232 spells out the process: a scale drawing showing hive locations and distances to property lines and neighboring structures, plus a fee, filed with the city clerk, who then mails notice to every owner within a 200-foot radius; those owners get 14 days to file a written objection and request a hearing, which the common council must hold within 21 days and decide within ten days after.
Sec. 6-233 sets the substantive limits: only Apis mellifera honeybees, a maximum of two hives per parcel, hives kept in sound removable-frame construction, a minimum six-foot flyway barrier (fence, hedge or building) between hives and any property line within 20 feet unless the hive sits at least ten feet off the ground, a 20-foot front setback and ten-foot side and rear setbacks for the apiary, and a 25-foot minimum distance from neighboring dwellings, porches, decks and pools, any of which can be waived with the adjoining owner's written permission.
Hives must have a constant water source, be actively managed or removed, and aggressive colonies must be destroyed or re-queened; the keeper must certify beekeeper training, and hives are allowed only on residential property. A denial can be appealed to the common council under Sec. 6-234.
Violations & Fines
Beekeeping in violation of Article VIII, Secs. 6-230 through 6-233, is penalized under Sec. 6-237 by the same forfeiture schedule as the rest of the animal chapter: $10.00 to $500.00 for a first offense within a year under Sec. 6-3, escalating to a $75.00 minimum for a fourth or later offense, plus court costs, with each continuing day treated as a separate violation. The city clerk can revoke a beekeeping permit for noncompliance under Sec. 6-236, and once revoked it cannot be reissued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep bees in the City of Milton, Wisconsin?
How many beehives can I have on my property in Milton?
How far must beehives be from my neighbor's house in Milton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milton
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