All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in Ohio

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

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    Yes — Ohio requires beekeepers to register their hives with the ODA.

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

    Last updated

    Key Facts - Ohio Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    Yes - through ODA

    Residential Hive Limits

    No statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Health, Apiary Program

    State Registration Requirements

    Ohio Revised Code 909.02 requires anyone who owns or possesses honey bees, hobbyists included, to register each apiary location with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Registration is due on or before June 1 each year, or within 30 days of acquiring bees or moving them into Ohio, and registrations expire on May 31. Each registered apiary is assigned a name or identification number that must be posted in a conspicuous location in the apiary. The application/renewal form is on ODA's website (Ohio Admin. Code 901:5-55-02), and ODA states there has been no registration fee since October 1, 2025. Registered beekeepers can request disease inspections through their county-appointed apiary inspector or ODA.

    Registration Fees

    Free. ODA states there is no apiary registration fee effective October 1, 2025 (previously $5 per apiary, plus a $10 late fee).

    Register with ODA

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    No statewide residential hive limit. Cities and townships set their own rules through zoning or health codes; for example, Cleveland allows one hive per 2,400 sq ft of lot area and Cincinnati allows up to two apiaries per 10,000 sq ft.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit on rural or agricultural properties. Ohio law treats keeping bees and producing honey as an agricultural pursuit (ORC 909.02).

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement. Where setbacks exist they come from local ordinances, which vary widely (for example, 5 feet from lot lines in Cleveland and 10 feet from property lines in Cincinnati), and many require a 6-foot flyway barrier near property lines.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Columbus

    Hive Limits

    No numeric hive limit. The Columbus City Codes have no beekeeping-specific provisions, and bees are not on Columbus Public Health's list of domestic animals that require a permit.

    Setbacks

    No beekeeping-specific setback or flyway-barrier rule in the Columbus City Codes. General nuisance rules still apply.

    Notes

    Beekeeping in Columbus is governed mainly by state law: register every apiary with the Ohio Department of Agriculture and post your apiary ID. Keep hives from becoming a nuisance to neighbors (supply water, place hives away from walkways, use a fence or hedge to push flight paths upward). HOA covenants and deed restrictions can still prohibit or limit hives. Confirm with Columbus Building and Zoning Services before setting up.

    Columbus ordinance

    Cleveland

    Hive Limits

    One beehive per 2,400 square feet of lot area. No hives on lots smaller than 2,400 square feet.

    Setbacks

    At least 5 feet from any lot line and 10 feet from a dwelling (or permitted dwelling location) on another parcel. No hives in a required front yard or side-street yard. A solid fence or dense hedge at least 6 feet high must be placed on the hive-entrance side, within 5 feet of the hive and extending at least 2 feet past each side. No barrier is needed if all hives are at least 25 feet from all property lines, or if hives sit on a porch or balcony at least 10 feet above grade (unless it is within 5 feet of a property line).

    Notes

    Cleveland Codified Ordinances 347.02 (zoning) regulates farm animals and bees in residential districts. Beekeepers must keep a fresh water source readily accessible to the bees all day. Anyone keeping bees must also get a two-year license from the Cleveland Department of Public Health (Health Code 205.04) and register with ODA.

    Cleveland ordinance

    Cincinnati

    Hive Limits

    At least 2,500 square feet of lot area per apiary, with a maximum of two apiaries of 30 cubic feet each per 10,000 square feet.

    Setbacks

    Apiaries must be at least 10 feet from any property line and 25 feet from the nearest inhabited structure when a flyway screen is provided. A 6-foot flyway screen (fence or hedge) within 3 feet of any hive entrance is required unless the apiary is more than 150 feet from all property lines. Rooftop apiaries must be at least 6 feet from the roof edge.

    Notes

    Cincinnati regulates bees under Zoning Code Chapter 1422 (Urban Agriculture: Horticulture and Animal Keeping), Schedule 1422-05. Apiaries may be on the ground or on rooftops, and bee warning or notice signs must be posted at property lines per ODA rules. Bees do not count toward the chapter's limit on the number of animal categories. Register with ODA as well.

    Cincinnati ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Ohio Revised Code Chapter 909 - Apiaries

    Ohio Rev. Code Ch. 909 (registration at ORC 909.02)

    Ohio's apiary law. Requires annual registration of every apiary by June 1 (or within 30 days of acquiring bees), posting of the assigned apiary ID number, and authorizes ODA and county apiary inspectors to inspect colonies and control serious bee diseases. Declares beekeeping and honey production an agricultural pursuit.

    Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 901:5-55 - Apiary rules

    Ohio Admin. Code 901:5-55-01 to 901:5-55-08

    ODA's administrative rules for apiaries (current versions effective June 26, 2025). Cover definitions, registration and renewal forms, return of pollination colonies to a registered apiary within 10 days, 7-day advance notice and inspection certificates for colonies brought into Ohio, disease-control orders, and inspection fees for bees entering the state.

    Selling Honey in Ohio

    Honey falls outside Ohio's cottage food law; it has its own exemption under ORC 3715.021. A beekeeper can sell honey without an ODA food license, registration, or inspection if at least 75% of the honey sold comes from their own hives. If more than 25% comes from another beekeeper, the seller counts as a food processing establishment and must register with ODA's Division of Food Safety. Containers must be labeled with the product name, net quantity of contents, and the name and address of the seller. Flavored or infused honey is not covered by the honey exemption and must follow Ohio's cottage food rules, including the statement "This Product is Home Produced" on the label.

    Official Ohio guidance
    Price your honey for OhioList your honey free

    Ohio Beekeeping Association

    Ohio State Beekeepers Association

    The Ohio State Beekeepers Association (OSBA) serves beekeepers throughout Ohio with educational resources, an annual fall conference, and representation of beekeepers' interests with state agricultural authorities. OSBA supports a network of affiliated local associations across the state, publishes a quarterly newsletter for members, and offers a Pollinator Steward Certification in partnership with Pollinator Partnership, along with a youth scholarship program.

    Visit Ohio State Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Ohio has cold winters and warm, humid summers. Winter losses are a significant concern, so colonies need adequate honey stores, wind protection, and proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup. Spring buildup comes quickly with dandelion and fruit tree bloom, followed by major flows from black locust, clover, and basswood in late spring and early summer. During the summer dearth, typically mid-July through August, check stores and feed if needed. Goldenrod and aster provide critical fall nectar for winter stores. Varroa mite management is essential, with treatments commonly applied in late summer after the honey harvest.

    See the month-by-month Ohio beekeeping calendar

    Tips for Ohio Beekeepers

    • Register each apiary with the Ohio Department of Agriculture by June 1 each year, or within 30 days of getting bees. Registration is free as of October 1, 2025, and you must post your apiary ID number in the apiary.
    • Ohio winters require strong, well-fed colonies going into fall. Use windbreaks and make sure the hive is ventilated so moisture doesn't build up.
    • American foulbrood is a serious reportable disease. Inspect brood frames regularly and contact your county apiary inspector or the ODA Apiary Program if you suspect it.
    • The Ohio State Beekeepers Association supports a network of affiliated local clubs across the state. Join one for local mentorship and education.
    • Ohio's main nectar flows include dandelion and fruit bloom in spring, black locust, clover, and basswood in late spring and early summer, and goldenrod and aster in fall. Plan your management around these periods.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

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

    Ohio Beekeeping Calendar

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

    View Ohio Calendar

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

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

    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 Ohio expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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