Before you start keeping bees in a city, you need to find out whether it is legal where you live. If you have doubts, call your city hall or try finding a local beekeeping group. Depending on your location, you might also need a permit, license, registration, and will need to have inspections of your beehive. So be sure you know the local law regarding beekeeping well! Until 2010, beekeeping was banned in New York City and punishable with a $2,000 fine. Beekeeping was illegal in Vancouver until 2003, for example, but by 2010 there were bees on the roof of Vancouver City Hall.