Wauwatosa, WI Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

080, governing this Milwaukee County, Wisconsin city, permits honey beekeeping in residentially zoned districts, but only after the beekeeper obtains a valid permit and the honey bees kept are Apis mellifera; keeping the more aggressive Apis mellifera scutellata is barred outright under any conditions. A residential lot may hold no more than two hives forming a single apiary, though a temporary third hive is allowed for a reasonable period while splitting a hive. Every hive must use removable frames kept sound and usable. Any hive within twenty feet of a property line needs a closed fence, closed evergreen hedge, building or other solid flyway barrier at least six feet high between the hive and the line, unless the hive sits at least ten feet off the ground or the development director approves a lesser distance or height.

Hives and the apiary structure cannot sit in a front or side yard and must stay at least twenty feet from the back property line, closer only with the adjoining neighbor's signed written consent. Hives must also keep at least fifty feet from a neighboring lot's patios, porches, decks, gazebos, pools or permanently affixed play equipment, again unless that neighbor consents in writing to closer placement. The beekeeper must keep a continuous water source inside the apiary so bees do not seek water on neighboring property, and must remove, destroy or re-queen any hive that repeatedly shows aggressive behavior. 070 requires anyone applying for a permit to have obtained beekeeping competency through associations, classes or training.