diff --git a/docs/src/site/apt/index.apt.vm b/docs/src/site/apt/index.apt.vm
index 2bdc30d5..5a941ec7 100644
--- a/docs/src/site/apt/index.apt.vm
+++ b/docs/src/site/apt/index.apt.vm
@@ -47,8 +47,10 @@ Apache Software Foundation Parent POM
     
   ** <<url>>: {{<<<https://www.apache.org/>>>}}. You should override this.
     
-  ** <<repositories>>: The pom adds the Apache snapshot
+  ** <<repositories>>: Optional: the pom adds the Apache snapshot
      repository ({{<<<https://repository.apache.org/snapshots>>>}})
+     This only happens if the <<<apache.snapshots>>> property is set,
+     or the <<<use-apache-snapshots>>> profile is active.
     
   ** <<distributionManagement>>: The POM sets up for releases to the Apache Nexus
      instance at
@@ -191,6 +193,11 @@ Notices
 
    When you need publish site descriptor in your project you should add, like:
 
+ * Since version <<34>> <<<repositories>>> section has been moved to the <<<use-apache-snapshots>>> profile.
+
+   Apache snapshot repository is now optional, and is only added when the profile is activated.
+
+   It can be activated by setting the <<<apache.snapshots>>> property or activating the <<<use-apache-snapshots>>> profile directly.
 +------+
 <build>
   <plugins>
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 490f2bd5..2d2186cc 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -137,27 +137,6 @@ under the License.
     <version.maven-war-plugin>3.4.0</version.maven-war-plugin>
   </properties>
 
-  <repositories>
-    <repository>
-      <id>apache.snapshots</id>
-      <name>Apache Snapshot Repository</name>
-      <url>https://repository.apache.org/snapshots</url>
-      <releases>
-        <enabled>false</enabled>
-      </releases>
-    </repository>
-  </repositories>
-  <pluginRepositories>
-    <pluginRepository>
-      <id>apache.snapshots</id>
-      <name>Apache Snapshot Repository</name>
-      <url>https://repository.apache.org/snapshots</url>
-      <releases>
-        <enabled>false</enabled>
-      </releases>
-    </pluginRepository>
-  </pluginRepositories>
-
   <build>
     <pluginManagement>
       <plugins>
@@ -568,5 +547,33 @@ under the License.
         </pluginManagement>
       </build>
     </profile>
+    <profile>
+      <id>use-apache-snapshots</id>
+      <activation>
+        <property>
+          <name>apache.snapshots</name>
+        </property>
+      </activation>
+      <repositories>
+        <repository>
+          <id>apache.snapshots</id>
+          <name>Apache Snapshot Repository</name>
+          <url>https://repository.apache.org/snapshots</url>
+          <releases>
+            <enabled>false</enabled>
+          </releases>
+        </repository>
+      </repositories>
+      <pluginRepositories>
+        <pluginRepository>
+          <id>apache.snapshots</id>
+          <name>Apache Snapshot Repository</name>
+          <url>https://repository.apache.org/snapshots</url>
+          <releases>
+            <enabled>false</enabled>
+          </releases>
+        </pluginRepository>
+      </pluginRepositories>
+    </profile>
   </profiles>
 </project>