Keeping bees

Do you want to keep bees for your profession or hobby? You may need an exemption.

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Approach

This is how you apply for a waiver to keep bees:

Go to the Environment Desk.
Perform the permit check.
You will see if you need a waiver. You can apply for the waiver right away.
Log in:
- for yourself: with DigiD
- for a company: with eHerkenning

You deliver to:
- A situation sketch with floor plan and photos if necessary
- information on the number of bees or hives
- information about protective measures you take to protect others from your bees (e.g., a high fence)

Costs

An exemption costs at least €20.65 (quarterly rate 2026).

Description

Other people may be inconvenienced if you keep bees. This is why there are special rules for keeping bees. If you cannot abide by these rules, you need an exemption.

Requirements

The Requirements for keeping bees without a waiver are:

You keep the bees at least 30 meters from the road.
You keep the bees at least 30 meters from a home or other buildings where people are during the day.
You own the surrounding buildings.

Are you unable to comply with the Requirements ? Then you can apply for a waiver.

Term

Have you applied for an exemption? The municipality will decide on your application within 8 weeks. If that is not possible, the municipality may extend this period once by 6 weeks.

Objections and appeals

If you disagree with the municipality’s decision, you can file an objection. This allows you to explain why you disagree. Other people who are directly affected by the decision may also file an objection. You must file an objection within 6 weeks. The municipality will then make a new decision.

If you disagree with that new decision, you can ask the court to determine whether the municipality made the right decision. This is called “filing an appeal.” You must do so within 6 weeks. You can only file an appeal if you have previously filed an objection.

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