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1 <br /> <br />WS – Item #4 <br /> <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item No. 4 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Date: July 6, 2020 <br /> <br />To: City Council <br /> <br />From: Katie Larsen, City Planner <br /> <br />Re: City Ordinance on the Keeping of Bees <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />The City Council asked staff to compile information regarding the City ordinance as it <br />relates to the keeping of bees. <br /> <br />Section 1, Subd. 2.B defines animals as follows: <br /> <br />Animals, Domestic. Any animal commonly accepted as a domesticated <br />household pet. Unless otherwise defined, such animals shall include dogs, cats, <br />caged birds including pigeons, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, domesticated <br />rabbits, fish, non-poisonous, non-venomous and non-constricting reptiles or <br />amphibians, and other similar animals. <br /> <br />Animals, Farm. Any animal commonly associated with a farm or performing <br />work in an agricultural setting. Unless otherwise defined, such animals shall <br />include members of the equestrian family (horses, mules), bovine family (cows, <br />bulls), sheep, poultry (chickens, turkeys), fowl (ducks, geese), swine (excluding <br />Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs), goats, bees, and other animals associated with a <br />farm, ranch, or stable. <br /> <br />Per the City ordinance, bees are considered farm animals. Keeping of farm animals are <br />allowed on properties zoned R, Rural, R-X, Rural Executive and R-BR, Rural Business <br />Reserve. No permit is required. The City currently has over 9,600 acres of property <br />zoned R, Rural, R-X, Rural Executive or R-BR, Rural Business Reserve that allows for <br />the keeping of bees. This represents nearly 45% of the City’s total acreage (21,268 <br />acres). <br /> <br />Requested Council Direction <br /> <br />Discussion item. <br /> <br />