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<br />February 22,2007 <br /> <br />MODEL BEEKEEPING ORDINANCE <br /> <br />prepared by the <br />Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association <br /> <br />This model ordinance is not intended to be adopted without legal review by counsel representing the <br />jurisdiction considering it. Like ~ny proposed ordinance, it must be reconciled with existing ordinances <br />and may be revised to fit community standards and needs. Our purpose in advancing the model ordinance <br />is to offer a document with the apicultural framework we believe will enable hobbyist and sideliner <br />beekeepers to safely and successfully pursue this pleasurable and economically, culturally and <br />agriculturally critical activity in urban and suburban areas. <br /> <br />WHEREAS, honey bees (apis mellifera) are of benefit to mankind, and to Minnesota in <br />particular, by providing agriculture, fruit and garden pollination services ahd by <br />furnishing honey, and other useful products; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Minnesota is among the leading states in honey production and agricultural <br />by products associated with beekeeping throughout the United States; and <br /> <br />.. WHEREAS, domestic strains of honey bees have been selectively bred for desirable <br />traits, including gentleness, honey production, tendency not to swarm and non~aggressive <br />behavior, characteristics which are desirable to foster and maintain; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, gentle strains of honey bees can be maintained within populated areas in <br />reasonable densities without causing a nuisance if the bees are properly located and <br />carefully managed; <br /> <br />NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained and enacted by <br /> <br />Section 1. <br /> <br />Preamble Adopted. <br /> <br />That the findings contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby adopted as a part <br />of this ordinance. <br /> <br />Section 2. <br /> <br />Definitions. <br /> <br />As used in this article, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed in <br />this section unless the context of their usage indicates another usage. <br /> <br />2.1 "Apiary" means the assembly of one or more colonies of honey bees at a <br />single location. <br />2.2 "Beekeeper" means a person who owns or has charge of one or more <br />colonies of honey bees. <br />2.3 "Beekeeping equipment" means anything used in the operation of -an <br />apiary, such as hive bodies, supers, frames, top and bottom boards and <br />extractors. <br /> <br />Page 1 ofS <br />