diff --git a/apache/init.sls b/apache/init.sls
index 9731c5b..92c1d0e 100644
--- a/apache/init.sls
+++ b/apache/init.sls
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ apache:
     - name: {{ apache.user }}
     - gid: {{ apache.group }}
     - system: True
+  {# By default run apache service states (unless pillar is false) #}
+  {% if salt['pillar.get']('apache:manage_service_states', True) %}
   service.running:
     - name: {{ apache.service }}
     - enable: True
@@ -25,3 +27,17 @@ apache-restart:
   module.wait:
     - name: service.restart
     - m_name: {{ apache.service }}
+
+  {% else %}
+
+apache-reload:
+  test.show_notification:
+    - name: Skipping reload per user request
+    - text: Pillar manage_service_states is False
+
+apache-restart:
+  test.show_notification:
+    - name: Skipping restart per user request
+    - text: Pillar manage_service_states is False
+
+  {% endif %}
diff --git a/pillar.example b/pillar.example
index 845a131..bd6b00f 100644
--- a/pillar.example
+++ b/pillar.example
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # ``apache`` formula configuration:
 apache:
 
+  # By default apache restart/reload states run (false skips)
+  manage_service_states: True
+
   # lookup section overrides ``map.jinja`` values
   lookup:
     server: apache2