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Environmental Initiatives Backyard Hens and Bees Program

Backyard Beekeeping

Have you heard the buzz? The City of Leduc allows for backyard beekeeping!

Beekeepng is a satisfying activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. When following good management practices, backyard beekeeping is a completely safe hobby that can help improve local pollination of plants, while also connecting people to nature and where their food comes from.

If you are interested in participating, follow the steps below.

  • Ensure that you comply with or are prepared to comply with the following:
    • Beekeeping Licences allow for the ownership of one beehive, and one nucleus hive to help prevent swarming.
    • All bees must be obtained from reliable sources free of disease or signs of aggressive behavior. Aggressive bees must be replaced.
    • Beekeepers must carry liability insurance (valued at not less than $2,000,000 CAD) to cover any accidents related to their bees.
  • Applicants must notify their neighbours with adjacent backyards of their intent to participate in backyard beekeeping. Confirmation of neighbour notification must be submitted at the time of application, and must include the contact information and addresses of notified neighbors.
    • If an adjacent neighbor identifies a medical concern, such as a bee allergy, the application will be rejected.
    • If a licence is awarded and neighbours with adjacent backyards identify a medical concern after the application process, the licence will be revoked.
  • Completion of an accredited beekeeping course is required for all beekeeping licences.
  • Applicants must register with the provincial apiculturist as required by the Alberta Bee Act. This must be renewed every year by June 30.

Licensees must also have the support of a recognized mentor. Applicants can find a mentor by contacting any community listed below:

  • The Alberta Animal Health Act requires that any premises where livestock animals are kept obtain a  Premises Identification Number (PID number). This is a free registration through the Government of Alberta. Keep this PID account number handy, as you will need to submit it when you apply.
  • Determine your proposed beehive location, which you must show in a site sketch, similar to this sample when you apply for your licence. Note that the site sketch must demonstrate compliance with setback requirements and other guideline criteria.
  • Submit a completed application to [email protected], and attach all documentation for the previous steps, including:
    • Neighbor notification forms
    • Beekeeping training certificate
    • Provincial apiculturist registration number
    • Mentor information
    • PID Number
    • Site Sketch
  • Denied licence applications will be notified by email.
  • Approved applications will be contacted and moved to the next phase, whereby the applicant can build their beehive and nucleus to their site specifications. Application approval is not a licence.
  • Once the applicant prepares their site, they must contact the Environmental Inspector for a site inspection. This site inspection will confirm the structures have been built to the guideline criteria.
  • Upon the verification inspection, the Environmental Inspector may grant a licence, which will be emailed or mailed at the preference of the licensee. The initial licence will be conditional based on receiving proof of insurance, with a timeline set at the discretion of the Environmental Inspector.

Accredited training courses:

Communities and mentorship opportunities:

Need help with the application process?

Please call the Ecosmart Hotline at (780)-980-7107 or email [email protected]