Crystal City Council Gives Final Approval to Backyard Ducks and Beekeeping Ordinance

Crystal, MN — The Crystal City Council has officially adopted a revised animal control ordinance that significantly expands what residents may keep in their backyards. With a final vote on November 18 and minimal opposition, the Council approved changes allowing homeowners to keep ducks for the first time and formally legalizing beekeeping within city limits—an update city officials say reflects changing community interests and regional trends in urban agriculture.

The ordinance is now fully approved and will take effect following city publication requirements.

Expanded Rules for Backyard Fowl: Chickens and Ducks

For years, Crystal residents were limited to keeping up to four chickens, with ducks prohibited entirely. Under the newly adopted ordinance, households may now keep:

• Up to 6 chickens (an increase from 4)
• Up to 6 ducks
• A combined total of up to 10 birds

To minimize noise issues, roosters remain strictly prohibited.

All fowl must be housed in a secure shelter or coop, designed to protect the birds from weather and predators while ensuring sanitary and odor-controlled conditions for neighboring properties. City staff based the revised language on comparable standards used in nearby Richfield, which has recently updated its own poultry regulations.

The expanded fowl provisions were prompted by increasing resident interest in small-scale urban agriculture and the growing normalization of backyard birds across Twin Cities suburbs.

Beekeeping Officially Added to City Code

For the first time, Crystal’s municipal code now contains a standalone section regulating urban beekeeping. Prior to the vote, beekeeping existed only informally in the city—something Crystal City Manager Adam Bell noted had not resulted in any complaints.

Under the newly adopted rules, residents may keep:

• Up to 4 beehives
• On lots sized 0.75 acres or smaller

To maintain safe distances between bees and the public, the ordinance restricts hive placement:

• No hives in front yards
• A minimum 10-foot setback from side and rear property lines
• Additional flyway barriers (shrubs, fencing, or structures) required if beekeepers wish to reduce the setback

During the council’s review process, a local beekeeping expert testified that a 10–15 foot flyway—the controlled path bees take as they exit the hive—is generally sufficient to ensure bees travel upward and away from human traffic areas, helping to reduce concerns among neighbors.

The new guidelines also require responsible hive management practices such as preventing swarming and maintaining gentle bee colonies, aligning Crystal’s rules with state best practices.

Council and Community Response

The final ordinance passed with little debate. During the November 18 meeting:

• One resident opposed the changes, expressing concern about potential nuisances.
• Another resident spoke in support, citing the environmental and educational benefits of beekeeping.

City leadership emphasized that the new regulations strike a balance between resident interests and neighborhood quality-of-life considerations. Staff research and comparisons with other metro-area ordinances also shaped the final language, which council members described as reasonable, measured, and adaptable.

Summary of New Limits

A Step Toward Sustainable, Resident-Friendly Urban Agriculture

Crystal’s updated ordinance places the city in line with a growing number of Minnesota municipalities embracing regulated backyard farming. Supporters say the changes accommodate resident interests, strengthen community sustainability efforts, and create opportunities for environmental stewardship through pollinator support.

The Crystal City Council’s approval marks a substantial modernization of the city’s animal-keeping code—one that reflects evolving community values and the rising popularity of locally driven food and ecology initiatives.

MinneapoliMedia