All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in North Carolina

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

    Last updated: · Verified against official sources

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

    State law limits how far local governments can restrict hives. See the exact hive limits, setbacks, and city ordinances for 2026 below.

    Last updated

    Key Facts - North Carolina Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    No - not required statewide

    Residential Hive Limits

    State law limits how far local governments can restrict hives.

    State Agency

    North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), Plant Industry Division - Apiary Services

    State Registration Requirements

    North Carolina does not require hobby beekeepers to register their hives or get a license. NCDA&CS Apiary Services, which operates under the N.C. Bee and Honey Act of 1977, offers disease and pest inspections, fumigation, educational workshops, and honey house sanitation inspections (with the Food and Drug Protection Division). Beekeepers who want advance notice of aerial pesticide applications can register each apiary with the Plant Industry Division for $10. Registration runs January 1 to December 31 and must be renewed every year. Selling bees in North Carolina requires an NCDA&CS permit ($25), except for sales of fewer than 10 hives a year or a one-time going-out-of-business sale of fewer than 50 hives.

    Registration Fees

    No registration is required to keep bees. Registering an apiary for advance notice of aerial pesticide applications costs $10 per registration per year (02 NCAC 48A .0262). A permit to sell bees costs $25 a year; it is not needed for selling fewer than 10 hives in a calendar year or for a one-time going-out-of-business sale of fewer than 50 hives.

    Visit the NCDA&CS apiary program

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    State law limits how far local governments can restrict hives. Under G.S. 106-645, no county may prohibit anyone from owning or possessing 5 or fewer hives, and any city ordinance regulating hives must allow up to 5 hives on a single parcel. Local rules can still regulate placement and setbacks, and can require removal of neglected or unsafe hives.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit on rural or agricultural land. The G.S. 106-645 protection for 5 or fewer hives applies statewide; limits above that number, if any, come from county or city rules.

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement. Under G.S. 106-645, a city ordinance may regulate where a hive sits on the parcel, including setbacks from property lines and from other hives. It must require that hives be placed at ground level or securely attached to an anchor or stand, and a city may allow an anchored stand on a roof. Cities cannot use these rules to allow fewer than 5 hives per parcel.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Charlotte

    Hive Limits

    Charlotte must allow at least 5 hives per parcel under G.S. 106-645. The Charlotte City Code has no beekeeping-specific hive limit.

    Setbacks

    The Charlotte City Code sets no beekeeping-specific setback or flyway requirement. Contact Charlotte Planning, Design & Development for any placement standards in the Unified Development Ordinance.

    Notes

    The Charlotte City Code has no provisions specific to bees, hives, or apiaries, so the state rule under G.S. 106-645 is the main protection for backyard beekeepers. Confirm placement standards in the Unified Development Ordinance with the city before setting up hives.

    Charlotte ordinance

    Raleigh

    Hive Limits

    Raleigh must allow at least 5 hives per parcel under G.S. 106-645. Neither the Raleigh City Code nor the UDO accessory-use and accessory-structure sections set a beekeeping-specific hive limit.

    Setbacks

    Raleigh sets no beekeeping-specific setback or flyway requirement. General accessory-structure setbacks in UDO Sec. 6.7.2 may apply to hive stands; confirm with Raleigh Planning and Development.

    Notes

    Raleigh has no dedicated beekeeping ordinance, so G.S. 106-645 and general zoning rules for accessory structures are what apply.

    Raleigh ordinance

    Asheville

    Hive Limits

    Asheville must allow at least 5 hives per parcel under G.S. 106-645. Check the Asheville Code of Ordinances or ask the city for any beekeeping-specific limit.

    Setbacks

    For any Asheville-specific setback or screening requirement, contact Asheville Planning & Urban Design for current standards.

    Notes

    Asheville is known as the first Bee City USA, designated in 2012. Confirm current placement rules with the city before setting up hives.

    Asheville ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    North Carolina Bee and Honey Act of 1977

    N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 106, Article 55 (G.S. 106-634 to 106-645)

    Authorizes the Commissioner and Board of Agriculture to promote and protect the bee and honey industry. It provides for rules on disease and disorder control, apiary inspections, emergency actions, penalties, and a permit to sell bees (G.S. 106-639.1).

    Limitations on local government regulation of hives

    N.C. Gen. Stat. 106-645 (added by S.L. 2015-246; amended by S.L. 2024-32)

    Counties may not prohibit anyone from owning or possessing 5 or fewer hives. Cities may regulate hives within their incorporated limits, but any ordinance must allow up to 5 hives per parcel and require that hives be at ground level or securely anchored. Ordinances may set placement and setback rules and may require removal of hives that are not maintained or that threaten public health and safety.

    NCDA&CS Honey Bee Industry rules

    02 NCAC 48A .0242-.0265

    State rules on apiary inspections, interstate shipment and transportation of bees, health certificates, diseased-apiary quarantines, destruction of infected equipment, abandoned bees, registration of colonies for aerial pesticide notification (.0262, $10 fee), and the permit to sell bees (.0263).

    Selling Honey in North Carolina

    North Carolina has no separate cottage food law or honey-specific exemption in state rules. Home-based food sales go through the NCDA&CS Food and Drug Protection Division's Home Processor program, which requires a one-time home kitchen inspection before you sell to consumers, stores, or restaurants. The NC State Beekeepers Association advises that beekeepers bottling honey from their own bees follow these home processor guidelines, and NCDA&CS Apiary Services also offers honey house sanitation inspections. The program sets no state sales cap. North Carolina labels must show the word "honey"; the name, address, and ZIP code of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and net contents in the lower 30% of the label in both pounds/ounces and grams. Call NCDA&CS Home Processing (984-236-4820, homeprocessing@ncagr.gov) to confirm whether raw honey from your own hives needs an inspection.

    Official North Carolina guidance
    Price your honey for North CarolinaList your honey free

    North Carolina Beekeeping Association

    North Carolina State Beekeepers Association

    The North Carolina State Beekeepers Association (NCSBA) says it has more than 4,000 members and is the largest state beekeeping organization in the country, with local chapters statewide. It works with the NC State University apiculture program and NCDA&CS Apiary Services, holds spring and summer state meetings, and runs the NC Master Beekeeper Program and the Certified Honey Producer Program. Its official quarterly magazine is The Bee Buzz.

    Visit North Carolina State Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    North Carolina has three broad beekeeping regions: the mountains, the piedmont, and the coastal plain. The mountains have cooler winters and are known for sourwood honey, harvested in early to mid summer. The piedmont has moderate winters and strong spring flows from tulip poplar, blackberry, and clover. The coastal plain has mild winters and a long foraging season. Hurricane season (June through November) is a concern for eastern and coastal beekeepers, so secure hives and have a plan for storms. Small hive beetles are a persistent pest in the warmer parts of the state. Spring buildup can be fast, and tulip poplar in April and May is a major nectar source in much of the state.

    See the month-by-month North Carolina beekeeping calendar

    Tips for North Carolina Beekeepers

    • Join a local NCSBA chapter for mentorship and bee schools. NCSBA has chapters across the state and lists them on its website.
    • Consider the NC Master Beekeeper Program, the NCSBA's four-level certification (Certified, Journeyman, Master, Master Craftsman).
    • If you want advance notice of aerial pesticide spraying near your bees, register your apiary with the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division ($10 per registration per year).
    • Selling bees or nucs? You need an NCDA&CS permit to sell bees unless you sell fewer than 10 hives in a calendar year.
    • Small hive beetles thrive in North Carolina's warm, humid climate. Keep colonies strong, use beetle traps, and don't leave comb or supers exposed.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

    Last checked against these sources on . This page summarizes North Carolina law for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm with NCDA&CS 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

    North Carolina Beekeeping Calendar

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

    View North Carolina Calendar

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

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

    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 North Carolina expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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