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Item No: 2 Meeting Date: July 6, 2015 Type of Business: Work Session City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: James Ericson, City Administrator Item Title/Subject: Review Possible Code Amendment Relating to Honey Bees Introduction: At the June work session, the Council discussed the possibility of amending the City Code to allow backyard beekeeping. Residents attended the meeting as did beekeeping experts from the University of Minnesota and Century College. Similar to other cities’ codes, the Mounds View City Code defines bees as a farm animal, and farm animals are prohibited in Mounds View, with the recent pending exception of chickens and ducks. Discussion A growing number of cities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including St. Paul and Minneapolis, allow backyard beekeeping, often in conjunction with a permit or license. Other cities have become “bee friendly” as more attention is being paid to the perils associated with colony collapse disorder and the impacts to pollination as bee populations decline. Supporters of backyard beekeeping point out that honey bees are often confused with more aggressive hornets or wasps. Beekeepers raise bees primarily as a means to enjoy a fresh and organic supply of honey. Opponents of backyard beekeeping, similar to opponents of backyard chickens, often suggest that beehives do not belong in a residential neighborhood, but rather at farms or agriculturally zoned lands. In addition, residents may have serious allergies such that placement of backyard hives nearby may pose an unacceptable risk to them. If the Council were to consider amending the Code to allow backyard beekeeping, a number of conditions could be incorporated, such as the following: • No more than two hives per property • Hives shall be set back 25 feet from a property line and from dwellings • Hives shall be located in backyard areas within a fenced in area • Water source shall be provided, best management practices observed • Beekeepers would be required to obtain a license and demonstrate proof of training • Permit or license can be revoked/denied by the Council in case of nuisance The City Council has previously reviewed the Brooklyn Park ordinance concerning honey bees. Their requirements are quite extensive and may be more than what is needed; some cities allow honey bees without any permit, license or requirement. Perhaps finding a middle ground as a starting point would be more appropriate. To that end, additional cities’ codes are included for Council reference.