Beekeeping on Commercial and Multi-Unit Properties

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Responsible regulations and recommended practices for businesses and individuals interested in keeping bees on commercial and multi-unit properties in Edmonton

Keeping bees in Edmonton is regulated by the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw, No. 13145. The Director of Animal Care and Park Rangers has the delegated authority to issue permits until the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw is renewed and approved by City Council.

The following guidelines are designed to ensure that urban beekeeping is a positive addition to our current program. They are founded on best practices to minimize adverse effects on honeybee health and safety, while also addressing public safety concerns.

Application Requirements and Process

(Only 1 application per site is required)

Please note: The initial application is just the first step in the process. After your submission, a member of our team will reach out to you directly via email to request additional information and guide you through the following remaining requirements.

Managing Beekeeper details: Name, address and contact information
Hive location: A site drawing or Google map image showing the location of the hive(s) on the commercial property
Beekeeping experience:
- Proof of success in an accepted beekeeping course (also required for residential urban beekeeping)
- A logbook demonstrating at least 2 years of experience in bee hive husbandry
Property permissions:
- Copy of all signed permission letters from property owners (also required for residential urban beekeeping)
- Copy of the Land Titles Certificate proving ownership of the property
- Copy of all notification memos, letters or signage required for the notification process
Premises Identification (PID) number(s): Your PID number(s) (also required for residential urban beekeeping)
Business licence: A copy of the appropriate City of Edmonton Business Licence, unless exempt by legislation or City policy if this application relates to a commercial entity

Written Permissions Required for Property Usage

Once this is obtained it must be included with the licensing application.

City-owned land or building

Signed written permission from City Real Estate for the use of the land or building
Copy of Land Titles Certificate, showing ownership

Tenant-occupied/Vacant Private Property or Land

Signed written permission from the property owner or their agent
Copy of the Land Titles Certificate, showing ownership

Registration and Premise Identification (PID) Number

All applicants must comply with the Alberta Bee Act and be registered with the provincial Apiculturist. Bee owners must also obtain a PID Number.

Training

Each approved site must have a Managing Beekeeper who is responsible for the hive(s). This Managing Beekeeper must complete a beekeeping course from a City of Edmonton-approved organization or association.

Apply for Beekeeping Licence

Beekeeping Licence Application

Apply online for your beekeeping licence.

Beekeeper Registration

Hive Requirements and Care

Location of Hives

Sites must be on either city-owned property or privately-owned property. No hives are permitted on public land and property owner consent is required - the property owner then holds the liability for having hive(s).

Beekeeping is prohibited on Parkland unless otherwise permitted or controlled by the City of Edmonton. “Parkland” means any property, whether developed or not, owned, controlled, or maintained by the City that is:

Intended to be used by members of the public for recreation and general enjoyment
Preserved as a natural area
Used as a cemetery
Zoned AP (Public Parks), A (Metropolitan Recreation), AN (River Valley Activity Node), or US (Urban Services)
Contained in the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System Protection Overlay as described in the City bylaw governing land use
Designated as a municipal reserve, environmental reserve or a public utility lot pursuant to the Municipal Government Act
That portion of any Boulevard contiguous with, partially within, or fully within any property described above (Parkland Bylaw 2022)

The City of Edmonton owns community league land. Any community leagues that would like to apply for a bee hive or an additional bee hive will require permission from the City. If a Community League already has a beehive on their property and is requesting additional hives, no educational program will be required in their application as they have already completed this component of the application process

Hive locations should be situated at least 3 metres away from mechanical or electrical hubs including but not limited to transformers, fuse boxes, cable junctions or electrical outlets that require regular maintenance or are accessible from individuals unfamiliar with bees or bee behaviour.

The hive must be placed in a location where it is protected from extreme heat/cold and wind.

An adequate water supply must be provided for each hive. A bucket or hummingbird feeder amount of water is adequate but must be filled regularly and have a landing spot so the bees can access the water supply without drowning. Water supply should be approximately 100 feet from the hive, as bees have difficulty communicating distance and directions any closer than that

Hives located on the ground level should be secured by adequate fencing to prevent harm or disruption to the hive(s). All compliance, liability, expenses, and materials are the responsibility of the applicant and/or the property owner.

Number and Size of Hives

Each approved property may house up to 3 hives. Applicants can specify the number of hives they would like on the site in the initial application.

If more hives are desired, the decision to permit the increase in the hive limit will be at the sole discretion of the Director of Animal Care and Park Rangers.

A commercial beekeeper within the City of Edmonton limits cannot increase the number of hives specified on their initial application by collecting swarms. All swarms identified within city limits are handled by a beekeeper chosen by the City of Edmonton and taken outside city limits to a rural environment.

Signage Requirements

Signage must be present at all entrances to buildings where beehives are located to advise people attending the location that bee hives are on the premises.

Notification signage that a bee hive is present at the location must be on roof access doors when hives are located on a building rooftop.

The cost of installing notification signage is the responsibility of the property owner.

Standard of Care

Every beekeeper shall adhere to good management and husbandry practices as outlined in the Alberta Bee Act. The Bee Act sets the standards for beekeeping within the province.

Good management and husbandry practices help to prevent swarming, aggressive behaviour, and disease.

Beekeepers are required to call 311 to report any swarms within city limits.

Revocable Permission

The Director of the Animal Care and Park Rangers Section can revoke the permission for the license for the hive(s) at any time. Should this occur, the licence holder will relocate the hive and bees to a location outside the City of Edmonton. All costs and associated expenditures related to this removal are the sole responsibility of the license holder.

Inspections

Approved beekeeping site owners and managers are required to make themselves and their hives available for inspection upon the reasonable request of City employees. If hives are suspected of being sick or diseased, the City’s Pest Management and Lab Operations Section may be called in to inspect the bees and hive.

Applicants must include information on their applications that shows that adequate forage and water will be made available to the hives. If the City of Edmonton does not deem the applicant's site as having adequate resources to sustain the hives, the City has the right to refuse the application and/or revoke the licence. Should this occur, the applicant and/or licence holder must relocate the hive and bees to a location outside the city of Edmonton. All costs and associated expenditures related to this removal are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Enforcement

An Animal Control Peace Officer will respond to complaints and initiate investigations when warranted.

Failing to comply with the terms and conditions of an Urban Beekeeping Licence may result in a fine of $100 or the license permission being revoked
Keeping bees without a license may result in a $500 fine for each unlicensed location

"If a designated officer finds that a company/person is contravening this or any other enactment that the municipality is authorized to enforce or a bylaw, the designated officer may, by written order, require the person responsible for the contravention to remedy it if the circumstances so require. The City of Edmonton may also take steps to remediate a contravention of its Bylaw or take any steps to prevent a recurrence of a violation of the Bylaw pursuant to section-549 of the Municipal Government Act.

All costs incurred by the City of Edmonton as a result of any remedial action will become the financial responsibility of the permit holder and property owner and may be added to the tax roll of the property.”

^{Municipal Government Act - 545 Order: Order to Remedy Contraventions}

Contact Us

Animal Care & Control

For assistance with:

How to apply
Application status
Swarms

If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Phone	311