The following animals may be kept in the City:

Subd. 1.

Domestic animals, except bees, are allowed in all zoning districts, as regulated by Chapter IX of the City Code.

Subd. 2.

In all residential 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 provided in the FRD district and except as allowed under Sections 21170.02 and 21170.03 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.

Except as may be allowable by interim use permit in the FRD district, commercial dog kennels are prohibited in the City.

Subd. 10.

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)

Subd. 1.

Licensing Requirement. 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, Licenses and Permits; Procedures and Fees of the City Code.

(a)

Information Requirement.

(1)

A license for the keeping of chickens shall be required and re-applied for every two years in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family detached PUD zoning districts.

(2)

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

(3)

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

(b)

Chicken licenses 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 their license. There is no renewal fee.

(c)

Any selling of eggs or chickens from the home would require a separated home occupation license process pursuant to Section 21145 in addition to any requirements from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Dairy and Food Inspection Division regulations.

Subd. 2.

Limit to Number of Hens Permitted. Except for hens associated with veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, and educational institutions, or located within the FRD district, no person shall keep more than six hens in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family detached PUD zoning districts. Roosters shall be 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 housed in a residential house or in 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 setback a minimum of 20 feet from any property line. The coop and attached run shall not be within any drainage and utility easement or 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.

(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)

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, 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.

(b)

Application Requirements.

(1)

A license application shall be signed by the property owner and shall include the submittal of a site plan and hive plan with the location and specifics of the hives, setbacks from all property lines and structures, including those on adjacent properties. The application shall also denote the proposed beekeepers, 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)

Upon receipt of a beekeeping application, the City shall follow the process for Home Occupations under Section 21145.

(d)

Any selling of honey from the home would require a separate home occupation license process pursuant to section 21145, in addition to any requirements from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Dairy and Food Inspection Division regulations.

(e)

The City hereby reserves the right upon issuing any beekeeping license to inspect the premises in which the beekeeping is being conducted to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section, or 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 procedures specified in Section 1005.

Subd 3.

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

(a)

Location.

a.

On properties in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3 and single-family detached PUD districts, colonies shall be on the ground and located in the side or rear yard only and shall have a setback of at least 10 feet from the side or rear property lines. A 6 foot flyaway barrier shall be provided.

b.

On properties in the I-1, I-2, and I-3 district, colonies shall be located on rooftops and placed in the most secluded possible location, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

c.

On P-I properties, colonies may meet either of the above conditions and are exempt from the flyaway barrier if the hives are greater than 50 feet from the property line.

(b)

Water Source. An appropriate water source shall be provided within 10 feet of each colony.

(c)

Signage. The licensee shall post a clearly visible warning sign indicating that a beehive is present on the property. The sign shall be between four and eight square feet and oriented towards the public, as determined by the zoning administrator. No separate sign permit is required. Industrial signage shall be located on the roof.

(d)

Number.

a.

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

b.

For properties in the I-1, I-2, I-3, and P-I districts, each property may be allowed up to 8 hives at initial permit submission, with the potential to increase to 16 hives in the spring to accommodate hive expansion. Each grouping of 16 hives must be at least 1 mile from any other 16 hives.

(e)

Neighborhood Beekeeping. Common spaces on residential, homeowners association maintained properties, properties zoned Public/Institutional, or properties owned by the City, are eligible for a beekeeping license if:

a.

All other requirements of this section are met.

b.

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 hive(s).

c.

The colony is located a minimum of 50 feet from public trails.

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