All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in New York

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

    Last updated: · Verified against official sources

    Yes — New York requires beekeepers to register their hives with the NYSDAM.

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

    Last updated

    Key Facts - New York Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    Yes - through NYSDAM

    Residential Hive Limits

    No statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Plant Industry

    State Registration Requirements

    As of December 23, 2021, all beekeepers in New York State are required to register with the Department of Agriculture and Markets and renew their registration annually, under the Cooperative Honey Bee Health Improvement Program (Agriculture and Markets Law § 173-c). Registration is free and is completed online through a NY.gov account; it asks for the county of each apiary, the number of colonies, and contact information, and whether you intend to sell nucleus colonies (nucs). Apiaries that sell nucs are subject to annual inspection. Honey bees transported into New York must be accompanied by a certificate or permit from an official of the state of origin certifying freedom from disease. Beekeepers in New York City must also register their hives separately with the NYC Health Department.

    Registration Fees

    Free. There is no fee to register or renew.

    Register with NYSDAM

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    No statewide residential hive limit. Limits, where they exist, are set by individual cities, towns, and villages, and vary widely (for example, Buffalo allows two colonies per lot in most zones, while New York City sets no numeric limit).

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

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

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement. Setbacks and flyway-barrier rules, where they exist, come from local codes and vary by municipality (for example, Buffalo requires 5 feet from lot lines and 10 feet from dwellings, plus a 6-foot flyway barrier within 25 feet of a lot line).

    City-Specific Regulations

    New York City

    Hive Limits

    No numeric hive limit in the Health Code. Each hive must be registered with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

    Setbacks

    No specific setback distance. Hives must be located so that the movement of bees does not become an animal nuisance.

    Notes

    Beekeeping has been legal in the five boroughs since 2010, when the Board of Health removed honey bees from the prohibited-animals list. Under Health Code § 161.01(b)(12), register within 30 days of setting up a hive and renew by May 31 each year; there is no fee. Notify the Health Department within 10 business days of changes to colony numbers or location. Keep bees in movable-frame hives in good condition and provide a constant water source. Unregistered hives can be fined.

    New York City ordinance

    Buffalo

    Hive Limits

    No more than two bee colonies per lot, except in the N-1S, D-E, D-IL, D-IH, D-OG, D-ON, and C-R zones. At least 500 square feet of unobstructed area is required per colony.

    Setbacks

    Ground-mounted apiaries are allowed only in rear yards, at least 5 feet from any lot line and 10 feet from any dwelling. If the apiary is within 25 feet of a lot line, a flyway barrier at least 6 feet tall is required within 5 feet of the hive, extending at least 2 feet on either side.

    Notes

    Beekeeping was legalized under the Buffalo Green Code (Unified Development Ordinance), which took effect in 2017. Before starting, you must obtain signed consent from the property owner, all residents of the property, and all residents of any property within a 50-foot radius. Hives must be removable-frame or top-bar hives, water must be available at all times, and aggressive or swarm-prone colonies must be promptly requeened with stock bred for gentleness.

    Buffalo ordinance

    Rochester

    Hive Limits

    The Rochester City Code and zoning code (Chapter 120) contain no beekeeping-specific hive limit.

    Setbacks

    No beekeeping-specific setback found in the city code.

    Notes

    A search of the City of Rochester code for bees, hives, and apiaries returned no current provisions. City Code Chapter 30, § 30-12 requires a license from the Chief of Police to keep live animals other than listed pets, and it is unclear whether the city applies this to honey bees. Contact the City of Rochester (Neighborhood and Business Development / Zoning) before setting up hives. State registration with NYSDAM is required regardless.

    Rochester ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    New York Agriculture and Markets Law, Article 15 (Bee Diseases)

    N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law §§ 173–175-b

    Covers the apiary industry advisory committee, definitions, eradication of bee diseases and harmful insects, the cooperative honey bee health improvement program, the ban on keeping diseased or banned bees and the duty to report disease, rulemaking authority, and penalties.

    Cooperative Honey Bee Health Improvement Program

    N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 173-c

    Requires registration of apiaries with the Department (county, number of colonies, contact information) and annual inspection of apiaries that sell nucleus colonies. There is no fee to participate. Added in 2021; registration became mandatory December 23, 2021.

    NYC Health Code Article 161 (Animals), § 161.01(b)(12)

    NYC Health Code § 161.01(b)(12)

    Allows non-aggressive honey bees (Apis mellifera) in New York City, which were removed from the prohibited-animals list in 2010. Beekeepers must file a notice with the Health Department containing contact details and hive location, update changes within 10 business days, use movable-frame hives, provide water, and site hives so bees do not create a nuisance.

    Honey processor exemption from food processing license

    1 NYCRR Part 276.4; Agric. & Mkts. Law Article 20-C

    Honey processors who do not buy honey from others for repackaging and do not combine honey with other ingredients are exempt from the Article 20-C food processing license, provided the operation is sanitary and containers are properly labeled under 1 NYCRR Part 259.

    Selling Honey in New York

    New York exempts honey processors from the Article 20-C food processing license if they sell only honey from their own production (they do not buy honey from others to repackage) and do not mix honey with other ingredients. Adding ingredients such as herbs or fruit generally requires a 20-C license or qualifying under the separate home processor exemption. No volume or revenue cap is stated for the honey exemption. The operation must be kept sanitary and containers must be properly labeled under 1 NYCRR Part 259, which generally means the product name, net weight, and the name and address of the packer.

    Official New York guidance
    Price your honey for New YorkList your honey free

    New York Beekeeping Association

    Empire State Honey Producers Association

    The Empire State Honey Producers Association (ESHPA) is New York's statewide beekeeping organization, founded in 1870 as the New York State Bee-Keepers Association. It serves hobbyists, sideliners, and commercial honey producers, and holds an annual conference featuring speakers such as Cornell University's bee extension staff and the New York State Apiculturist.

    Visit Empire State Honey Producers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    New York's climate ranges from the cold Adirondacks and northern tier to the milder lower Hudson Valley and Long Island, creating very different beekeeping conditions across the state. Upstate winters are long and harsh, with sub-zero temperatures common in January and February, so colonies need adequate winter stores, wind breaks, and proper ventilation. The growing season is short but productive, with nectar flows from dandelion, black locust, basswood, clover, and goldenrod. Mud season in early spring can make apiary access difficult. Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley have milder winters and longer foraging seasons. Wrap hives or use insulated covers for winter protection in colder regions.

    See the month-by-month New York beekeeping calendar

    Tips for New York Beekeepers

    • Register with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and renew every year. It is free and has been mandatory since December 2021.
    • New York winters are long and cold. Leave colonies ample honey stores, provide wind protection, and add upper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.
    • American foulbrood is a serious disease threat. Inspect brood regularly; state law requires reporting bee diseases to the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
    • If you keep bees in New York City, register each hive with the NYC Health Department within 30 days and renew by May 31 each year.
    • The late-summer goldenrod and aster flow is important for winter stores in upstate New York. Avoid harvesting too aggressively in late summer.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

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

    New York Beekeeping Calendar

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

    View New York Calendar

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

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

    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 New York expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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