All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in Alabama

    Everything you need to know about legally keeping bees in Alabama - from state registration to city-specific ordinances.

    Last updated: April 1, 2026

    Key Facts - Alabama Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    Yes - through ADAI

    Residential Hive Limits

    No statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Apiary Section

    State Registration Requirements

    Alabama law requires all beekeepers to register their apiaries with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. Registration helps the state track colonies for disease surveillance, pesticide exposure notifications, and Africanized honey bee monitoring. Beekeepers selling queens, package bees, or nuclei in Alabama must obtain a permit and pass an annual apiary inspection. Hives must be kept in movable-frame equipment to allow inspection.

    Registration Fees

    Registration is free for hobbyists. Permits for moving bees interstate or selling queens, package bees, or nucs require a state apiary inspection.

    Register with ADAI

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    No statewide residential hive limit. Local municipalities set specific limits, usually 2 to 6 hives depending on lot size.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit on rural or agricultural properties.

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement. Local ordinances typically require 10 to 25 feet from property lines, with 6-foot flyway barriers common in residential areas.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Birmingham

    Hive Limits

    Permitted in residential zones with reasonable limits based on lot size, typically up to 4 hives on standard lots.

    Setbacks

    Hives should be at least 10 feet from property lines with a 6-foot flyway barrier if within 25 feet of a lot line.

    Notes

    Birmingham allows residential beekeeping provided hives do not create a nuisance. A water source must be maintained on the property. The Jefferson County Beekeepers Association is active in supporting urban beekeepers.

    Montgomery

    Hive Limits

    Generally permitted on single-family residential lots with no strict numerical cap. Placement must not cause a nuisance.

    Setbacks

    At least 10 feet from property lines. A 6-foot flyway barrier is recommended when hives are near neighboring homes.

    Notes

    Montgomery has no specific beekeeping ordinance, so hives are governed under general nuisance rules. Beekeepers are encouraged to notify neighbors and maintain docile stock.

    Mobile

    Hive Limits

    Allowed in residential zones. Hive count should be reasonable for the lot size.

    Setbacks

    Hives must be set back from property lines and sidewalks, typically 10 feet or more.

    Notes

    Mobile's humid Gulf Coast climate makes small hive beetle management critical. Elevated stands and beetle traps are widely used. Hives should be secured for hurricane season.

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Alabama Apiary Law

    Ala. Code Title 2, Chapter 14

    Establishes the state's authority to inspect apiaries, control diseases such as American foulbrood, and require permits for commercial bee movement and sale.

    Alabama Beekeeping Association

    Alabama Beekeepers Association

    The Alabama Beekeepers Association (ABA) supports hobbyist and commercial beekeepers across the state through education, mentorship, and advocacy. ABA hosts an annual fall conference, publishes a newsletter, and maintains a directory of local beekeeping clubs.

    Visit Alabama Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Alabama sits in USDA hardiness zones 7a through 9a with hot, humid summers and mild winters. This climate supports a long active season but creates ideal conditions for small hive beetles and high varroa pressure. Provide ample ventilation, use screened bottom boards, and monitor mite levels year-round. Summer dearth in July and August often requires supplemental feeding. Winter losses are typically lower than in northern states but cluster management and moisture control still matter in the northern Alabama hills.

    Tips for Alabama Beekeepers

    • Small hive beetles are a major pest in Alabama's warm, humid climate. Use beetle traps and keep colonies strong to outpace beetle reproduction.
    • Register with ADAI even as a hobbyist so you can be notified of nearby pesticide applications and disease outbreaks.
    • Alabama's long nectar flow typically starts in March with red maple and continues through early summer with privet, clover, and tulip poplar.
    • Hurricane preparedness is important along the Gulf Coast - strap hives down and consider moving them inland during major storms.
    • Re-queen annually with gentle, mite-resistant stock to maintain calm colonies and manage varroa pressure.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Other State Regulations

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

    Estimate startup costs, ongoing expenses, and potential honey revenue for your beekeeping operation in Alabama.

    Calculate Costs

    Do You Need a License to Keep Bees?

    Most states require hive registration, not a license. Our guide explains the difference and what Alabama expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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