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    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in Florida

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

    Last updated: · Verified against official sources

    Yes — Florida requires beekeepers to register their hives with the FDACS.

    On land not classified as agricultural, the FDACS Beekeeper Compliance Agreement limits colonies by tract size: 3 colonies on one-quarter acre or less; 6 on more than one-quarter acre but less than one-half acre; 10 on more than one-half acre but less than 1 acre; 15 on 1 to 2. See the exact fees, hive limits, setbacks, and city ordinances for 2026 below.

    Last updated

    Key Facts - Florida Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    Yes - through FDACS

    Residential Hive Limits

    On land not classified as agricultural, the FDACS Beekeeper Compliance Agreement limits colonies by tract size: 3 colonies on one-quarter acre or less; 6 on more than one-quarter acre but less than one-half acre; 10 on more than one-half acre but less than 1 acre; 15 on 1 to 2.

    State Agency

    Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Plant Industry, Apiary Inspection Section

    State Registration Requirements

    Everyone who keeps honey bee colonies in Florida must register with FDACS, regardless of how many colonies they have. First create an account on the FDACS online portal (plantpay.fdacs.gov) and submit a registration request. An apiary inspector then inspects the colonies before the certificate of registration is issued. Certificates must be renewed each year on or before the anniversary date, and FDACS sends an invoice 30 days before expiration. Each hive must show the beekeeper's registration number in the upper left corner in letters at least 1/2 inch tall, and hives must have movable frames. Beekeepers keeping bees on land not classified as agricultural must also sign the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement (FDACS-08492) and follow its best management requirements.

    Registration Fees

    Annual fee based on total colonies: 1–5 colonies $10; 6–40 colonies $20; 41–200 colonies $40; 201–500 colonies $70; 501 or more colonies $100.

    Register with FDACS

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    On land not classified as agricultural, the FDACS Beekeeper Compliance Agreement limits colonies by tract size: 3 colonies on one-quarter acre or less; 6 on more than one-quarter acre but less than one-half acre; 10 on more than one-half acre but less than 1 acre; 15 on 1 to 2.5 acres; 25 on 2.5 to 5 acres; 50 on 5 to 10 acres; 100 on 10 or more acres, or unlimited if every colony is at least 150 feet from the property lines. As a swarm-control measure, colony numbers may temporarily double for up to 60 days. Because state law preempts local rules on managed honey bee colonies, cities and counties may not set their own limits, but HOA and deed restrictions still apply.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    Land classified as agricultural under s. 193.461, F.S., has no colony cap. The compliance agreement's best management requirements are recommended there but not required. Colonies must still be registered with and inspected by FDACS.

    Setback Requirements

    On land not classified as agricultural, any colony within 15 feet of a property line must have a flyway barrier at least 6 feet high. The barrier can be a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation, or a combination, and it must run parallel to the property line and extend beyond the colony in each direction. The area where colonies are kept must be fenced or otherwise blocked off, with a controlled gate. Apiaries may not be placed within 150 feet of tethered or confined animals or of public places where people gather, such as schools, day care centers, parks, and parking lots. Colonies may not block emergency access to properties or buildings, and a water source must be available to the bees at all times.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Miami

    Hive Limits

    State limits apply on non-agricultural land: 3 colonies on one-quarter acre or less, 6 on more than one-quarter to less than one-half acre, 10 on more than one-half to less than 1 acre, and 15 on 1 to 2.5 acres. Larger tracts allow more.

    Setbacks

    State rule: a flyway barrier at least 6 feet high when a colony is within 15 feet of a property line. Apiaries must be at least 150 feet from public places such as schools, parks, and parking lots, and from tethered or confined animals. The colony area must be fenced with a controlled gate.

    Notes

    Under s. 586.10, F.S., the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County cannot adopt their own rules on managed honey bee colonies. Registration with FDACS and a signed Beekeeper Compliance Agreement are required, and collected swarms and new colonies must be requeened with European honey bee stock. HOA and deed restrictions can still prohibit beekeeping.

    Miami ordinance

    Tampa

    Hive Limits

    State limits apply on non-agricultural land: 3 colonies on one-quarter acre or less, 6 on more than one-quarter to less than one-half acre, 10 on more than one-half to less than 1 acre, and 15 on 1 to 2.5 acres. Larger tracts allow more.

    Setbacks

    State rule: a flyway barrier at least 6 feet high when a colony is within 15 feet of a property line. Apiaries must be at least 150 feet from public places and from tethered or confined animals. The colony area must be fenced with a controlled gate.

    Notes

    State preemption (s. 586.10, F.S.) means Tampa and Hillsborough County cannot set separate limits on registered, inspected colonies. Register with FDACS, sign the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement, provide water, and check any HOA or deed restrictions, which take precedence over the state rules.

    Tampa ordinance

    Orlando

    Hive Limits

    State limits apply on non-agricultural land: 3 colonies on one-quarter acre or less, 6 on more than one-quarter to less than one-half acre, 10 on more than one-half to less than 1 acre, and 15 on 1 to 2.5 acres. Larger tracts allow more.

    Setbacks

    State rule: a flyway barrier at least 6 feet high when a colony is within 15 feet of a property line. Apiaries must be at least 150 feet from public places and from tethered or confined animals. The colony area must be fenced with a controlled gate.

    Notes

    State preemption (s. 586.10, F.S.) applies in Orlando and Orange County. Many Orlando-area planned communities have deed restrictions or HOA rules, and FDACS's compliance agreement says those restrictions override the state rules, so an HOA ban is enforceable.

    Orlando ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Florida Statutes Chapter 586 – Honey Certification and Honeybees

    Fla. Stat. ch. 586 (including s. 586.045 registration, s. 586.10 powers and preemption)

    Requires beekeepers to register colonies and hold a certificate. It authorizes FDACS to inspect apiaries, control bee pests and unwanted races of bees, and set quarantines. Under s. 586.10, the authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honey bee colonies, including rules on where registered colonies are placed, is preempted to the state and overrides county and municipal ordinances.

    Florida Administrative Code Chapter 5B-54

    Fla. Admin. Code ch. 5B-54 (Pests of Honeybees and Unwanted Races of Honeybees), incl. R. 5B-54.0105

    FDACS rules on registration, inspection, certification fees, and pests of honey bees. Rule 5B-54.0105 allows managed European honey bee colonies on agricultural land, or on non-agricultural land if the beekeeper signs the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement (FDACS-08492). It also sets out special permits for sites that cannot meet the agreement's requirements.

    Beekeeper Compliance Agreement (Best Management Requirements)

    FDACS-08492 (rev. 12/17), incorporated in R. 5B-54.0105

    Mandatory on non-agricultural land. It sets the colony density limits by tract size, a flyway barrier within 15 feet of a property line, fencing, a 150-foot buffer from public places and confined animals, and a water source. It also requires monthly inspections, European honey bee queens (collected swarms and new colonies must be requeened), and swarm prevention. It states that HOA deed restrictions override Chapter 586.

    Cottage Food Operations

    Fla. Stat. s. 500.80

    Allows cottage foods, including honey, to be made at home and sold directly to consumers, including online and by mail. It sets a $250,000 annual gross sales cap and specific labeling requirements.

    Selling Honey in Florida

    Yes. Honey is an approved cottage food under s. 500.80, F.S., so you can bottle it at home and sell it without an FDACS food permit. Sales can be in person, online, or by mail order, but not wholesale, and annual gross sales are capped at $250,000. The label must show the operation's name and address, the product name, ingredients in descending order by weight, net weight or volume, and allergen information. It must also carry the statement "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations" in at least 10-point type in a contrasting color. Wholesale sales, or bottling outside the home kitchen, require an FDACS food permit.

    Official Florida guidance
    Price your honey for FloridaList your honey free

    Florida Beekeeping Association

    Florida State Beekeepers Association

    The Florida State Beekeepers Association (FSBA) is a statewide nonprofit for beekeepers of all levels. It holds an annual meeting and beekeeping conference, keeps state legislators informed on issues affecting beekeepers, and represents Florida beekeeping and its supporting industries at the national level.

    Visit Florida State Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Florida's subtropical to tropical climate creates a distinctive beekeeping environment. With no true winter, colonies stay active year-round. That avoids cold-weather losses but raises pest and disease pressure all year. Major nectar sources include citrus in spring, gallberry and palmetto in early summer, and Brazilian pepper in fall. Hot, humid summers can stress colonies, so provide ventilation and shade. Tropical storms and hurricanes are a real risk. North Florida colonies may see short slow periods in midwinter, while South Florida colonies stay active continuously. Fire ants are a common apiary pest, so put hives on stands with ant guards.

    See the month-by-month Florida beekeeping calendar

    Tips for Florida Beekeepers

    • Africanized honey bees are established in much of Florida. On residential land, keep European queens from a queen producer and requeen collected swarms and new colonies, as the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement requires.
    • Beekeepers on non-agricultural property must sign the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement (FDACS-08492). It is binding and sets colony limits, flyway barriers, fencing, and a 150-foot buffer from public places.
    • Small hive beetles thrive in Florida's warm, humid climate. Use beetle traps, keep colonies strong, and do not leave supers or comb exposed.
    • Hurricane season (June through November) is a serious concern. Strap hives down, trim overhanging branches, and have a plan for moving colonies if a major storm approaches.
    • Florida's long foraging season means varroa populations build without a winter brood break, so monitor mite levels regularly and treat proactively.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

    Last checked against these sources on . This page summarizes Florida law for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm with FDACS and your city or county before setting up hives.

    City ordinances still vary — always confirm with your town after checking state law.

    Other State Regulations

    Florida Beekeeping Calendar

    Month-by-month tasks for Florida — when to inspect, treat for mites, harvest, and prep for winter.

    View Florida Calendar

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

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

    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 Florida expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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