Apiary Registration

Beekeepers must register their hives with the province where they are kept. Registration is free and it must be done annually by submitting apiary details to the Provincial Apiculturist. This is the only permit needed to keep bees.

Some cities have bylaws that allow beekeeping. Many cities do not allow beekeeping but usually ignore the situation so long as there is no nuisance problem and some cities enforce a no beekeeping policy. If you want to keep bees in an urban area, it is a good idea to check the local bylaws.

Moving bees

In Canada a permit is required to move bees between provinces and some provinces require a permit to sell hives or used hive equipment. The apiary acts are listed below.

Permit to Sell Honey?
Farm Gate sales:
Honey can be sold at the door or at a Farmers Markets without a food inspection permit.
Labelling requirements vary from province to province but in general the label on the container must identify name of the producer, contact details and weight of the honey being sold. Do not grade your honey with Canada Grade No. 1 name unless you are registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Some provinces are tightening the rules for food sales at Farmers Markets so check with the food fair organizers for appropriate information.
In province honey sale
Honey that is retailed through a grocery store must be packed in an approved container and a nutrition box must be present on the label. Since most retail stores require a Universal Product Code (UPC) the producer must register with GS1 Canada to purchase a code (one for each size of container).
Out of province sale:
Honey that is shipped out of province, or out of country must be packed in an establishment that is registered with and inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Registering with the CFIA also allows a producer to grade the honey and sell as Canada Grade No 1 honey (#2 if there is higher moisture content, #3 if it is unfiltered, there are wax particles or it does not meet the higher grade standard).

Except in Ontario where the province has its own grading system, honey can only be given a grade by producers/packers that are registered with CFIA.

Bylaws
Does your city allow beekeeping?
Some cities allow beekeeping and others do not. Many progressive city councils that have changed their bylaws have done so after presentations by beekeepers about the benefits of bees and beekeeping.

Need help with city bylaws? Here are some progressive cities that allow beekeeping, along with a copy of their bylaws.

Their bylaws can be used to draft suitable set of guidelines for your municipal council.

New Westminster BC Canada - Bylaws were drafted by John Gibeau who was also instrumental in helping other beekeepers achieve bylaw changes for City of Vancouver, Burnaby, Langley township and Port Coquitlam.

City of North Vancouver Canada - provides Hobby Bee Keeping bylaws.

Maple Ridge BC Canada - Bylaw regulating hobby beekeeping.

Delta BC Canada - allows 2 hives and 2 nucleus colonies on a city lot.

Surrey BC Canada - allows urban beekeeping.

Chilliwack BC Canada - allows urban beekeeping.

Vernon BC Canada - allows urban beekeeping 2 colonies and 2 nucs.

Kamloops BC Canada - allows 2-10 beehives depending on the lot size.

Dawson Creek BC Canada - allows a max of 2 colonies and 2 nucs.

Calgary AB Canada - has no restriction unless there is a complaint.

Edmonton AB Canada - allows 1 hive and 1 nuc on a city lot.

Saskatoon SK Canada Section 21.1- allows for bees provided that they do not exhibit defensive behaviour.

Winnipeg MB Canada- recently expanded approval for beekeeping from downtown to all areas within the city.

New York City legalized beekeeping in 2010 with guidelines for responsible beekeeping.

MORE INFORMATION Burnaby BC has an attractive brochure with information for keeping bees in their city.

Register Honey Bee Hives

It is important to register bee hives annually. Please contact your nearest provincial apiculturist and supply necessary details.

Register Honey Bee Hives	Contact
British Columbia	BC Ministry Agriculture 767 Angus Campbell Rd Abbotsford BC V3G 2M3 Phone: 604-556-3129 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Alberta	Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development 17507 Fort Road NW Edmonton Alberta T5Y 6H3 Phone:780-415-2314 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan Agriculture Box 3003, 800 Central Avenue Prince Albert, SK S6V 6G1 Phone: 306-953-2304 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Manitoba	Manitoba Agriculture, Crop Industry Branch 204-545 University Cres Winnipeg MB R3T 5S6 Phone:204-945-4825 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ontario	Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 5 th Floor 1 Stone Rd West Guelph ON N1G 4Y2 Phone:519-826-3595 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Quebec	le Ministre de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation 101-675 Rte Cameron Sainte Marie QC G6E 3V7
New Brunswick	Ministry Agriculture & Aquaculture PO Box 6000 Fredericton NB E3B 5H1 Phone:506-453-3477 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nova Scotia	Nova Scotia Dept of Agriculture 176 College Road, Harlow Building Truro, NS B2N 2P3 Phone:902-890-1565 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Prince Edward Island	PEI Dept Agriculture & Land 11 Kent St Charlottetown PEI C1A 7N8 Phone:902-314-0816 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Newfoundland & Labrador	Dept Fisheries, Forestry and AgriFoods Newfoundland & Labrador PO Box 2006 Corner Brook NL A2H 6J8 Phone:709-637-2070 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.