Exemption for Beekeeping

If you keep bees professionally or as a hobby and cannot meet the legally required distance between your beehives and neighbouring properties, you need an exemption from the municipality. Municipal regulations typically require a minimum distance to prevent nuisance from bee flight paths and stinging incidents.

You apply for the exemption at your municipality, explaining why you cannot meet the distance requirements and what measures you will take to limit nuisance. The municipality may grant the exemption with conditions, such as placing flight barriers or limiting the number of hives. Beekeeping is valued for its contribution to biodiversity and pollination, and municipalities generally try to find workable solutions.

Requirements

  • Distance standard: Normally a minimum distance to property boundaries or buildings applies as set out in the General Local Ordinance (APV).
  • Justification: A justified reason why the distance requirements cannot be met.
  • Measures: Description of measures to prevent nuisance, such as placing screens or directing flight routes.
  • Neighbor consent: In some cases, permission or no objection from direct neighbors is required.

Procedure

  • Application: The application is submitted to the municipality, often via the digital environment portal.
  • Assessment: The municipality assesses the application, looking at nuisance, safety, and the measures taken.
  • Possible views: Residents can submit views on the application.
  • Decision: The municipality makes a decision, whereby conditions may be imposed on the placement and number of bee colonies.

Restrictions

  • Number of colonies: A maximum may be set on the number of bee colonies.
  • Location requirements: Specific requirements for the placement and layout of the apiary.
  • Flight routes: Conditions regarding the direction of flight routes to minimize nuisance.
  • Revocation: The exemption can be revoked in case of nuisance or non-compliance with conditions.