All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in Tennessee

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

    Last updated: April 1, 2026

    Key Facts - Tennessee Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    Yes - through TDA

    Residential Hive Limits

    No statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Apiary Section

    State Registration Requirements

    Tennessee law requires all beekeepers to register their apiaries annually with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Apiary Section. Registration is free and must be renewed each year. The TDA Apiary Section conducts free inspections, monitors for diseases (especially American Foulbrood and European Foulbrood), and provides certificates of inspection for beekeepers selling queens, nucs, or moving colonies across state lines. New beekeepers must register within 30 days of acquiring colonies. Registration helps the state apiarist track colony locations and notify beekeepers of disease outbreaks.

    Registration Fees

    Free. Annual registration is required at no cost to the beekeeper.

    Register with TDA

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    No statewide residential hive limit. Local city and county ordinances set specific limits.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit on rural or agricultural properties.

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement. Local ordinances vary, typically requiring 5 to 25 feet from property lines with flyway barriers when hives are near neighboring lots.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Nashville

    Hive Limits

    Up to 2 hives on lots under 1/4 acre; up to 4 hives on lots between 1/4 and 1/2 acre; additional hives on larger lots.

    Setbacks

    Hives must be at least 10 feet from any property line. A 6-foot flyway barrier is required if hives are within 25 feet of a property line.

    Notes

    Nashville-Davidson County permits residential beekeeping under its zoning code. Beekeepers must provide a water source, register with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and maintain colonies in moveable-frame hives. The Nashville Area Beekeepers Association offers monthly meetings and mentorship programs for new beekeepers.

    Memphis

    Hive Limits

    Up to 2 hives on residential lots; additional hives permitted on larger lots with appropriate setbacks.

    Setbacks

    Hives must be at least 10 feet from any property line and screened from neighbors with a 6-foot fence, hedge, or flyway barrier.

    Notes

    Memphis permits residential beekeeping in most zoning districts. The Memphis Area Beekeepers Association supports local beekeepers throughout Shelby County and the Mid-South region. The warm climate and Mississippi River bottomlands provide excellent forage but also high pest pressure from small hive beetles.

    Knoxville

    Hive Limits

    Up to 4 hives on residential lots; additional hives permitted on lots over 1/2 acre.

    Setbacks

    Hives must be at least 10 feet from any property line. A 6-foot flyway barrier is required when hives are within 25 feet of a neighboring dwelling.

    Notes

    Knoxville permits residential beekeeping in most zones. The Knox County Beekeepers Association is highly active and partners with the University of Tennessee for educational programs. East Tennessee's mountain climate produces excellent sourwood honey and supports a thriving beekeeping community.

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Tennessee Code Annotated Title 44, Chapter 15 - Bees and Honey

    Tenn. Code Ann. Title 44, Ch. 15

    Establishes the legal framework for beekeeping in Tennessee, including mandatory annual registration, disease control, and the authority of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to inspect apiaries and quarantine diseased colonies. Requires moveable-frame hives and prohibits the sale of bees or equipment infected with American Foulbrood.

    Tennessee Right to Farm Act

    Tenn. Code Ann. 43-26-101 et seq.

    Provides protections for agricultural operations, including beekeeping, against nuisance lawsuits when operations are conducted in accordance with generally accepted practices. This protects beekeepers operating in compliance with best management practices from frivolous nuisance claims.

    Tennessee Beekeeping Association

    Tennessee Beekeepers Association

    The Tennessee Beekeepers Association (TBA) serves beekeepers throughout the state with an annual fall conference, educational programs, and a network of affiliated local clubs in nearly every region. TBA partners with the University of Tennessee Extension for research and outreach, and operates a Master Beekeeper certification program. The organization advocates for beekeeper-friendly legislation and provides resources for both hobbyist and commercial beekeepers.

    Visit Tennessee Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Tennessee spans USDA hardiness zones 5b in the highest eastern mountains to 8a in the southwestern corner near Memphis, creating three distinct beekeeping regions: East Tennessee (mountains), Middle Tennessee (rolling hills and the Highland Rim), and West Tennessee (Mississippi River bottomlands). East Tennessee produces excellent sourwood honey in late June and July from high-elevation sourwood trees. Middle Tennessee has major flows from tulip poplar, clover, and blackberry in spring. West Tennessee has the longest growing season with cotton, soybeans, and various wildflowers providing forage. The hot, humid summers favor small hive beetle populations throughout the state. Winters are relatively mild compared to northern states but still require adequate stores and wind protection. Spring tornadoes are a concern, particularly in Middle and West Tennessee.

    Tips for Tennessee Beekeepers

    • Register your apiaries annually with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture - it is free and helps the state apiarist provide free inspections and disease alerts.
    • Tennessee's varied terrain produces several distinctive honeys, including sourwood from the eastern mountains and tulip poplar from the central and western regions.
    • Small hive beetles are a major concern in Tennessee's warm, humid summers. Use beetle traps, maintain strong colonies, and freeze comb before storing.
    • The University of Tennessee Extension offers excellent educational resources and bee schools for Tennessee beekeepers. Take advantage of these free programs.
    • Tennessee's Right to Farm Act protects beekeepers operating in compliance with best management practices from nuisance lawsuits - document your management practices.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Other State Regulations

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

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

    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 Tennessee expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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