All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in Georgia

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

    Last updated: · Verified against official sources

    No — Georgia does not require you to register your hives with the state.

    No statewide residential hive limit. See the exact hive limits, setbacks, and city ordinances for 2026 below.

    Last updated

    Key Facts - Georgia Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    No - not required statewide

    Residential Hive Limits

    No statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    Georgia Department of Agriculture, Apiary Program

    State Registration Requirements

    Georgia law lets the Commissioner of Agriculture require registration and inspection of honeybee colonies as needed (O.C.G.A. § 2-14-43), but the Georgia Department of Agriculture enforces registration and inspection mainly on commercial beekeepers. Hobbyists with a few colonies can request a courtesy inspection from the state apiary inspector. Anyone who sells bees, queens, or nuclei as a business must hold a license from the Commissioner, which requires an inspection showing the colonies are apparently free of American and European foulbrood and other diseases. Licenses are issued annually and expire December 31. Bees moved into Georgia from another state need an entry permit backed by a health certificate from the state of origin.

    Registration Fees

    No fee for hobbyists. A license to sell bees, queens, or nuclei as a business costs $50 a year (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-1-.01).

    Visit the GDA apiary program

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    No statewide residential hive limit. State law (O.C.G.A. § 2-14-41.1) bars local governments from prohibiting, impeding, or restricting the keeping of honeybees in hives, but cities and counties keep their zoning authority, so local zoning codes can still set hive numbers or placement rules. For example, the City of Savannah limits colonies by lot size.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit on rural or agricultural properties. Local zoning may still apply.

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement. Setbacks and flyway rules come from local zoning where they exist. For example, Savannah requires a flyway barrier at least 6 feet high when a colony is within 25 feet of a property line.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Atlanta

    Hive Limits

    The Atlanta City Code has no beekeeping-specific hive limit. Its animal and livestock rules cover animals such as dogs, rabbits, fowl, and pot-bellied pigs but do not address bees.

    Setbacks

    The city code sets no beekeeping-specific setback or flyway rule.

    Notes

    State law (O.C.G.A. § 2-14-41.1) bars Georgia cities from prohibiting or restricting the keeping of honeybees in hives, while preserving zoning authority. Confirm current rules with the City of Atlanta Office of Zoning and Development or ATL311 before setting up hives, and check any HOA covenants.

    Atlanta ordinance

    Savannah

    Hive Limits

    Colony limits by lot size: 2 colonies on 1/4 acre or less; 4 on more than 1/4 but less than 1/2 acre; 6 on more than 1/2 but less than 1 acre; 8 on 1 acre or more. There is no limit if all hives are at least 200 feet from property lines or the apiary is surrounded by undeveloped property.

    Setbacks

    No fixed setback distance. When a colony is within 25 feet of a property line, the beekeeper must keep a flyway barrier at least 6 feet high near the apiary.

    Notes

    Savannah City Code Sec. 9-5045 requires each apiary to be registered annually with the Chatham County Department of Building Safety and Regulatory Services; the fee is $25 per address regardless of the number of hives. Beekeepers must provide a convenient water source at all times, keep the grounds clean, and requeen aggressive or swarm-prone colonies with European stock bred for gentleness. Beekeepers who sell bees must be licensed by the state.

    Savannah ordinance

    Augusta

    Hive Limits

    The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Augusta-Richmond County has no beekeeping-specific hive limit.

    Setbacks

    The zoning ordinance sets no beekeeping-specific setback or flyway rule.

    Notes

    State law bars local governments from prohibiting the keeping of honeybees in hives but preserves zoning authority. General nuisance rules and any HOA covenants still apply. Confirm current rules with Augusta Planning & Development before setting up hives.

    Augusta ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Georgia Bee Law (Honeybees)

    O.C.G.A. §§ 2-14-40 to 2-14-47 (Title 2, Chapter 14, Article 3)

    Requires a license to sell bees, queens, or nuclei as a business, gives the Commissioner of Agriculture broad power to deal with foulbrood, other bee diseases, and Africanized bees, authorizes registration and inspection of colonies as needed, and regulates bringing bees and used equipment into the state. Violations are misdemeanors.

    Prohibition against restriction of honeybee production or maintenance

    O.C.G.A. § 2-14-41.1

    No county, city, consolidated government, or other political subdivision may adopt or keep an ordinance prohibiting, impeding, or restricting the establishment or maintenance of honeybees in hives. The section does not restrict local zoning authority.

    Georgia Department of Agriculture Beekeeping Rules

    Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-1

    Sets the $50 annual license for queen and package bee producers, queen and package certificates, entry permits and health certificates for bees moved into Georgia, quarantines, indemnification, and enforcement.

    Selling Honey in Georgia

    Georgia beekeepers do not need a Food Sales Establishment License from the Georgia Department of Agriculture if they process and sell their own honey directly to household consumers on their own premises, on a door-to-door route, at an established place of business they own and manage, or at fairs, festivals, and farmers markets. Exempt producers are still regulated by the department: honey must be processed in a sanitary environment and labeled correctly, including an accurate common name such as Honey or Raw Honey. Producers who sell wholesale, in bulk, or through other retailers must obtain a Food Sales Establishment License. Check with the Georgia Department of Agriculture for current fees and labeling details.

    Official Georgia guidance
    Price your honey for GeorgiaList your honey free

    Georgia Beekeeping Association

    Georgia Beekeepers Association

    The Georgia Beekeepers Association (GBA) is a nonprofit that promotes and supports beekeeping across the state. It holds conferences and honey shows, publishes a newsletter, keeps a directory of affiliated local clubs, and shares information on Georgia bee laws and honey house requirements.

    Visit Georgia Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Georgia's climate ranges from the cooler north Georgia mountains to the hot, humid coastal plain, so beekeeping conditions vary by region. North Georgia is known for sourwood honey, while south Georgia has a longer foraging season. Hot, humid summers favor small hive beetles, so manage them proactively. Coastal beekeepers should plan for hurricane season, and drought can reduce nectar flows in some years.

    See the month-by-month Georgia beekeeping calendar

    Tips for Georgia Beekeepers

    • Before setting up hives, check your city or county zoning code and any HOA covenants. State law bars outright local bans but keeps local zoning authority.
    • If you plan to sell bees, queens, or nucs as a business, get a license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture first. It requires an inspection and is renewed each year.
    • Hobbyists can ask the Georgia Department of Agriculture apiary inspector for a courtesy inspection if they suspect disease.
    • Small hive beetles are a common pest in Georgia's warm, humid climate. Keep colonies strong and use beetle traps.
    • The University of Georgia Honey Bee Program runs the Georgia Master Beekeeper Program and posts research-based beekeeping resources.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

    Last checked against these sources on . This page summarizes Georgia law for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm with GDA 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

    Georgia Beekeeping Calendar

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

    View Georgia Calendar

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

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

    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 Georgia expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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