Keeping bees on your property

As part of their goal to help make Vancouver one of the world’s most sustainable cities, Council encourages beekeeping in urban areas.

Urban beekeeping is an excellent way to improve pollination for plants in backyard, community, and public gardens, which leads to better vegetable production.

With good management practices, beekeeping is completely safe in residential areas.

Steps to becoming an urban beekeeper

If you are interested in keeping bees in your yard, there are two steps you need to follow:

1. Review the City's beekeeping guidelines.
2. Register your beehive with the Province of BC.

Step 1: Review the City’s beekeeping guidelines

Before you decide to keep bees, read and understand the City’s guidelines.

These guidelines help keep beekeeping safe for residential areas, and explain your responsibilities as a beekeeper:

• Read the City’s guidelines on hobby beekeeping (145 KB)

Step 2: Register your beehive with the Province of BC

Once you set up your beehives, you must register them with the Province of BC:

• Register your beehives with the Province