The following animals may be kept in the City:

Subd. 1.

Domestic animals, except chickens and bees, are allowed in all zoning districts, as regulated by Section 915 of the City Code.

Subd. 2.

In all zoning districts except FRD, the raising or keeping of animals of any type for slaughter is prohibited.

Subd. 3.

The keeping of horses, including miniature horses, is an allowed use in the FRD district provided:

(a)

The minimum lot size is two and one-half (2.5) acres.

(b)

The number of horses does not exceed one (1) per acre to a maximum of six (6) horses, unless a higher number is granted by the issuance of an interim use permit.

Subd. 4.

Except as allowed in the FRD district and except as otherwise permitted under Sections 21170.02 through 21170.04 of this Chapter, farm animals (including miniatures) are prohibited in the City. In the FRD district, any pen, pasture, paddock, feedlot or building designed to confine a farm animal shall be located not less than 100 feet away from any residential dwelling that is not owned or leased by the person owning the farm animal.

Subd. 5.

Animals being kept as part of the Minnesota Zoological Gardens, St. Paul Como Zoo, or similar institutional docent programs are an allowed use in all zoning districts by administrative permit. Prior to permit issuance, the participant in the program shall notify the Zoning Administrator in writing of their participation in the program and identify all animals being kept.

Subd. 6.

No animal feedlots shall exceed six (6) animal units as defined by Minnesota Rules 7020.0300, Subd. 5.

Subd. 7.

Animals may only be kept for commercial purposes if authorized in the zoning district where the animals are located.

Subd. 8.

Animals may not be kept if they cause a nuisance as defined by the City Code or endanger the health or safety of the community.

Subd. 9.

The keeping of wild animals shall be regulated in accordance with Section 915.29 of the City Code.

(Amended by Ord. No. 98-44, 12/16/98; Ord. No. 2002-02, 01/22/02; Ord. No. 2008-09, 03/25/08; Ord. No. 2009-07, 05/12/09; Ord. No. 2021-03, § 3, 2/9/2021, eff. 7/1/2021; Ord. No. 2022-10, § 14, 8/16/2022; Ord. No. 2022-11, § 1, 8/16/2022; Ord. 2023-09, 8/8/2023; Ord. No. 2026-01, § 24, 2/10/2026)

Subd. 1.

License Required. No person shall have chickens within the City of Plymouth without first obtaining a Chicken License. The procedures and fees for such license shall be as set forth in Chapter X, entitled "Licenses and Permits; Procedures and Fees" of the City Code. The licensing process shall be as follows:

(a)

A chicken license shall only be granted for use in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family detached PUD zoning districts. Chickens kept in association with veterinary hospitals or educational institutions shall not require a license.

(b)

Application Requirements.

(1)

A license application shall be signed by the property owner.

(2)

An application, shall include submittal of a proposed site plan and building plan showing location and specifics of the coop and attached run and setbacks from all property lines and structures, including structures on adjacent properties.

(3)

Evidence of completion of a chicken keeping course from the University of Minnesota or other comparable institution.

(c)

Term of License. A chicken license, once issued, shall be valid for a two-year term from the date of issuance. The holder of a license shall apply for renewal every two years in order to maintain the license. There is no renewal fee.

(d)

Selling of eggs or chickens from the premises requires a separate home occupation license pursuant to Section 21145 of this Chapter, in addition to any requirements of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Dairy and Food Inspection Division.

(e)

The City hereby reserves the right upon issuance of any Chicken License to inspect the premises upon which the chickens are kept to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Section and any conditions additionally imposed. The City reserves the right to suspend or revoke any Chicken License based on failure to comply with this Section or relevant City Code sections, in accordance with the licensing procedures specified in Section 1005 of the City Code.

Subd. 2.

Limit to Number of Hens Permitted/Roosters Prohibited. Except for chickens kept in association with veterinary hospitals or educational institutions, no property shall house more than six hens unless located in the FRD zoning district. Roosters are prohibited unless located in the FRD zoning district.

Subd. 3.

Confinement.

(a)

All hens kept in the City shall be entirely confined in a run, coop, building, or other enclosure at all times unless supervised.

(b)

Chickens shall not be kept inside a home or inside an attached or detached garage, except chickens under the age of six weeks for brooding purposes.

Subd. 4.

Structure.

(a)

Location. The coop and attached run shall be located in the rear yard and shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from any property line. The coop and attached run shall not be located within any drainage or utility easement, wetland, wetland buffer, or wetland structure setback area.

(1)

On corner lots, coops and runs shall not be located in any required front yard.

(2)

On lots with equivalent yards, coops and runs shall not be located in any required front yard.

(b)

Size and Number.

(1)

Only one coop and attached run, with a maximum height of ten feet shall be allowed per property.

(2)

Total area for coop and covered run shall be limited to no more than 120 square feet in area.

(c)

Maintenance of Sanitary Conditions. All runs, coops, buildings, yards, or enclosures for hens shall be kept clean, sanitary, and free from all refuse. Such areas shall be thoroughly cleaned at least once every week, and all refuse shall be disposed of in a clean and sanitary fashion.

(d)

Storage of Food. All feed for hens shall be kept in rodent-proof containers.

(Ord. No. 2021-03, § 3, 2/9/2021, eff. 7/1/2021; Ord. No. 2025-02, § 21, 3/25/2025; Ord. No. 2026-01, § 25, 2/10/2026)

In order to aid in the removal of non-native, invasive, or noxious vegetation including but not limited to buckthorn, prescribed grazing may occur on a property whereby goats are brought in on a temporary basis, provided the following conditions are met:

Subd. 1.

Prescribed grazing shall occur only on those properties with non-native, invasive, or noxious vegetation.

Subd. 2.

The duration of any grazing event shall not exceed 14 calendar days. Not more than 2 prescribed grazing events may occur on a property per calendar year.

Subd. 3.

The area where the prescribed grazing takes place shall be cordoned off to prevent goats from running at large. Any related temporary fencing shall not require a separate fence permit, provided such temporary fencing is utilized in conjunction with the prescribed grazing event and is removed at the conclusion of the event.

Subd. 4.

Compliance is met with the City's nuisance regulations.

Subd. 5.

The prescribed grazing area shall be kept clean and free of garbage and other substances that attract rodents or other nuisance animals. The prescribed grazing area shall be cleaned regularly to control odor.

Subd. 6.

Prescribed grazing shall comply with shoreland and wetland regulations and may be restricted in ecologically sensitive areas. Prescribed grazing shall comply with Best Management Practices established by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and other pertinent agencies.

(Ord. No. 2022-11, § 2, 8/16/2022)

Subd. 1.

License Required. No person shall have bees within the City of Plymouth without first obtaining a Beekeeping License. The procedures and fees for such license shall be as set forth in Chapter X, entitled "Licenses and Permits; Procedures and Fees" of the City Code.

Subd. 2.

Licensing Process.

(a)

A Beekeeping License shall only be granted for use in RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, single-family detached PUD, I-1, I-2, 1-3, and P-I zoning districts, and on city-owned properties regardless of zoning designation.

(b)

Application Requirements.

(1)

A license application shall be signed by the property owner and shall include submittal of a proposed site plan and hive plan including details about the hives, and setbacks from all property lines and structures, including structures on adjacent properties. The application shall also provide information about who the beekeepers would be, if different from the property owner. Any change in this information shall require a new application to the City.

(2)

Evidence of completion of the "Beekeeping in Northern Climates" course from the University of Minnesota or other comparable institution.

(3)

A bee management plan must accompany the application, including plans for swarm management, mite and disease treatment, and native pollinator preservation.

(c)

Term of License. A beekeeping license, once issued, shall be valid for a two-year term from the date of issuance. The holder of the license shall apply for renewal every two years in order to maintain the license. There is no renewal fee.

(d)

Selling of honey from the premises requires a separate home occupation license pursuant to Section 21145 of this Chapter, in addition to any requirements of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Dairy and Food Inspection Division.

(e)

The City hereby reserves the right upon issuance of any Beekeeping l License to inspect the premises upon which the bees are kept to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Section and any conditions additionally imposed. The City reserves the right to suspend or revoke any Beekeeping License based on failure to comply with this Section or relevant City Code sections, in accordance with the licensing procedures specified in Section 1005 of the City Code.

Subd 3.

Hive Requirements. Any person keeping bees within the City of Plymouth under a license granted by this section shall comply with the following requirements:

(a)

Location.

(1)

Superseding the location regulations otherwise specified in subsection (2) below, hives shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from any kenneled or otherwise restricted animal whether on the premises or on an adjacent property.

(2)

For properties in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family detached PUD districts, hives shall be: i) located on the ground, ii) located in the side or rear yard areas, and iii) set back a minimum of 20 feet from side and rear property lines.

(3)

For properties in the I-1, I-2, and I-3 districts, hives shall be: i) located on rooftops, ii) set back a minimum of 20 feet from property lines; and iii) placed in a location, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

(4)

For P-I zoned properties and for city-owned properties, hives may be located on the ground or on rooftops, and shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from property lines and public trails.

(b)

Water Source. An appropriate water source shall be provided within 10 feet of any hive unless a natural water source exists within 25 feet of the hive.

(c)

Warning Signage.

(1)

No signage is required for hives located in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family detached PUD districts.

(2)

For hives located in the I-1, I-2, or I-3 districts, signage shall be required near the rooftop access point(s) in locations approved by the Zoning Administrator. Such signage shall comply with Item (4) below of this subsection.

(3)

For hives located in the P-I district and for hives located on city-owned property, signage shall be required: i) near the hives, ii) near and oriented toward any public trails within 25 feet of the hives, and iii) near and oriented toward any lot line within 25 feet of the hives. Such signage shall comply with Item (4) below of this subsection.

(4)

Required signage. Required signage shall: i) indicate that beehives are located on the property, ii) have lettering with a minimum height of three inches, iii) be clearly visible, iv) be constructed of metal, or other weatherproof material as may be approved by the Zoning Administrator, and v) be securely fastened. No separate sign permit is required for such signage.

(d)

Maximum Number of Hives Allowed.

(1)

RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family detached PUD zoned properties may be allowed up to two hives at initial permit submission, with the potential to increase to four hives in spring of the following year to accommodate hive expansion.

(2)

I-1, I-2, I-3, and P-I zoned properties and city-owned properties may be allowed up to 8 hives at initial permit submission, with the potential to increase to 16 hives in the spring of the following year to accommodate hive expansion. Each grouping of 16 hives must be located at least 1 mile away from any other grouping of 16 hives.

(e)

Neighborhood Beekeeping. Homeowners' association maintained common properties within single-family detached subdivisions are eligible for a beekeeping license provided:

(1)

All requirements of this section are met.

(2)

One main beekeeper shall be identified as an ongoing point of contact, willing to respond to any questions or concerns with the ongoing operations of the hives, and with their contact information securely attached to the hives.

(3)

The hives are located a minimum of 25 feet from public trails.

(Ord. 2023-09, 8/8/2023; Ord. No. 2024-05, § 1, 3/26/2024; Ord. No. 2026-01, § 26, 2/10/2026)