Lesson 4: Bee Laws

Registration, inspection and moving bees: why the rules exist and where to find yours

Every state has laws about keeping bees, and some counties, cities and neighborhoods add their own rules. That can sound like red tape, but most bee laws exist for one good reason: bee diseases and pests spread from colony to colony, and from state to state, on bees and used equipment. The laws help keep them from spreading, and they protect people and communities too.

This lesson covers what bee laws usually deal with. The box at the end covers your state's rules.

What bee laws usually cover

1. Registering your hives. Many states ask or require beekeepers to register where their hives are. Registration lets inspectors warn beekeepers about a disease outbreak nearby and plan inspections. In some states it's a short, free form.

2. Inspections. State apiary inspectors look for serious diseases (especially American foulbrood, lesson 58), dangerous pests and Africanized bees (lesson 16). Where an inspector finds a contagious disease, the law may allow them to order the bees or equipment treated or destroyed.

3. Moving bees and used equipment. Bringing bees, used hives, comb or other used beekeeping equipment across a state line usually needs a permit or an inspection certificate. Used equipment can carry disease (lesson 28).

4. Selling bees and queens. People who sell bees, queens or nucs as a business usually need a license, and their bees are inspected.

5. Local rules. Counties, cities and homeowners' associations may have zoning or other rules about where hives can go (lesson 3).

6. Selling honey. Honey sold to the public has its own rules (lesson 77).

Where to find the rules that apply to you

• Your state department of agriculture. It handles apiary laws, registration and inspections. Most have an apiary or plant protection program with a web page.
• Your city or county for zoning.
• Your homeowners' or property owners' association, if you have one.
• Your local Extension office and bee club can point you in the right direction.

Check these before you buy bees or equipment.

📍 Georgia

This insert is shown to customers in Georgia.

Who's in charge. Georgia's bee law is in the Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 2-14-40 through 2-14-47). It gives the Commissioner of Agriculture broad power to deal with American and European foulbrood, other contagious bee diseases, Africanized bees, and any other threat to honey bees. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) runs this through its Apiary Program, which supports both commercial and hobby beekeepers.

Local governments can't ban beekeeping. Georgia law says no county or city may prohibit or restrict keeping honey bees in hives. But it doesn't limit their zoning power, so local zoning boards can still set rules such as minimum lot size or distance from schools and other busy areas. Check your local zoning.

Registration and inspection. The Commissioner may require registration and inspection of colonies as needed, mainly to stop the spread of bee diseases and Africanized bees. If an inspector comes, you must be given a reasonable chance to help with the inspection. GDA does not inspect every beekeeper.

Diseased bees. If bees or equipment are found infected with a contagious disease (or exposed to one), the Commissioner may require them to be treated, disinfected or destroyed. If they're ordered destroyed, a Georgia resident beekeeper can be paid 50% of the appraised value, up to $25 per colony, when funds for that purpose are available.

Bringing bees or used equipment into Georgia. Moving any of these into the state is prohibited without a special permit from the Commissioner: bees on comb, bees in hives, used hives, honeycomb, frames, used bee shipping cages, used honey containers or other used beekeeping equipment.

Selling bees. Anyone selling bees, queens or nucs as a business needs a license from the Commissioner, and those bees are inspected every year for pests and diseases.

Penalties. Breaking the bee law or its rules is a misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $500 or up to six months in jail.

More information. GDA's Apiary Program: Honeybees web page lists the full law, the Department's beekeeping rule (Agriculture Rule 40-4-1), and contacts for commercial licenses and for moving bees between states.

What to remember

• Bee laws mostly exist to stop diseases, pests and Africanized bees from spreading.
• Expect rules on registration, inspection, moving bees and used equipment across state lines, and selling bees.
• Your state department of agriculture is the place to check; check local zoning and HOA rules too.
• Used equipment and bees from out of state need extra care and usually a permit.

Quick check

1. Why do states regulate moving used beekeeping equipment?
2. Who should you contact about apiary rules and inspections in your state?
3. (Georgia) Can a Georgia city ban beekeeping? Can it set zoning rules for hives?

Adapted from: Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Bee Law (O.C.G.A. §§ 2-14-40 to 2-14-47, current through the 2022 session) and Apiary Program: Honeybees; USDA National Agricultural Library, Apiculture and Beekeeping; University of Arkansas, Complete Beekeeping Short Course, Part 5; UF/IFAS Extension, Welcome to the Apiary! (4H446).

Adapted from university Extension sources. Experienced Georgia beekeepers are reviewing these lessons. See something that doesn't match your experience? Tell us.