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: · Verified against official sources

    Yes — Tennessee requires beekeepers to register their hives with the TDA.

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

    Last updated

    Key Facts - Tennessee Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    Yes - through TDA

    Residential Hive Limits

    No statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Office of the State Apiarist

    State Registration Requirements

    Under the Tennessee Apiary Act of 1995 (Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-15-105), every beekeeper who owns one or more colonies must register each apiary location with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and re-register every three years. New apiary locations must be registered within 30 days, and anyone moving bees into Tennessee must register those apiaries within 30 days. Registration can be done online, and each registered beekeeper receives a unique registration number for identifying hives and equipment. Registered beekeepers get disease-outbreak notices from the State Apiarist and can request inspections. Failing to register can bring a civil penalty of up to $500 per violation and possible confiscation of bees and equipment.

    Registration Fees

    No registration fee is listed in the Apiary Act or on the TDA registration page. Check with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for current fees.

    Register with TDA

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    No statewide residential hive limit. State law (Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-15-124) bars counties and cities from prohibiting beekeeping in hives that comply with the Apiary Act, but local zoning can still regulate hive number and placement. For example, Memphis/Shelby County limits hives by lot size.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

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

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement. Setbacks come from local zoning where they exist. For example, Memphis/Shelby County and Knoxville both require 15 feet from property lines. Hives kept in compliance with zoning on June 10, 2011 may stay at the same location despite later zoning changes (Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-15-124).

    City-Specific Regulations

    Nashville

    Hive Limits

    No beekeeping-specific hive limit was found in the Metro Nashville zoning code (Title 17) or animal code (Title 8).

    Setbacks

    No beekeeping-specific setback was found in the Metro code.

    Notes

    Metro Nashville-Davidson County does not appear to have a beekeeping ordinance, and state law (Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-15-124) bars local bans on hives kept in compliance with the Apiary Act. Beekeepers must still register apiaries with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and follow general nuisance rules and any HOA or deed restrictions. Confirm with Metro Codes before setting up hives.

    Nashville ordinance

    Memphis

    Hive Limits

    Apiaries are allowed as an accessory use on single-family detached lots of at least 10,000 square feet. Limits by parcel size: 1/2 acre or less, 2 colonies; more than 1/2 to 3/4 acre, 4; more than 3/4 to 1 acre, 6; 1 acre or more, 8 (maximum 8 per parcel except in the CA district).

    Setbacks

    Hives must be at least 15 feet from any property line, measured from the nearest point of the hive.

    Notes

    Governed by the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code (§ 2.6.5F and the accessory-use standards in § 2.7). All colonies must be registered with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Apiaries are also allowed in neighborhood gardens of at least 5,000 square feet. The UDC defines a flyway barrier (at least 6 feet tall, extending 10 feet each way from the hive), but the apiary standards do not explicitly require one. A UDC rewrite was in public-review draft in 2026, so check for updates.

    Memphis ordinance

    Knoxville

    Hive Limits

    The Knoxville zoning code sets no numeric hive limit. Hives are allowed only in interior side or rear yards, and rooftop apiaries are allowed with conditions.

    Setbacks

    Hives must be 15 feet from all lot lines and public sidewalks unless the yard is screened by a solid wall or solid fence. If the yard is not bounded by a solid wall or fence, a flyway at least 6 feet tall (lattice fence, dense hedge, or similar) is required within 3 feet of the hive opening, extending at least 2 feet on each side.

    Notes

    Knoxville Zoning Code Article 10.3.D (Apiary) requires new apiaries to be registered with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, hive openings to face away from the nearest abutting lot, and a fresh water supply on the property. Rooftop apiaries within 20 feet of an abutting building's doors or windows must face away from them or have a flyway barrier.

    Knoxville ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Tennessee Apiary Act of 1995

    Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 44-15-101 to 44-15-125

    Requires apiary registration every three years (new locations within 30 days), movable frames in all hives, inspection and certification for moving or selling bees and used equipment, disease reporting, and quarantine powers. Violations can bring civil penalties of up to $500 each.

    Restrictions on local bans on honeybees

    Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-15-124

    No county, city, or other political subdivision may adopt or keep an ordinance prohibiting honeybees in hives kept in compliance with the Apiary Act. Local zoning authority is preserved, but hives lawfully located on June 10, 2011 are protected from later zoning changes.

    Limited liability for registered beekeepers

    Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-15-125

    A beekeeper who has registered under § 44-15-105, complies with the Act, and operates the apiary reasonably is not liable for personal injury or property damage caused by the bees or apiary equipment. This does not apply to intentional conduct or gross negligence.

    TDA Apiary Regulations

    Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-13

    Department rules implementing the Apiary Act, including inspection and certification requirements for moving honey bees and used beekeeping equipment into or within Tennessee.

    Tennessee Right to Farm Act

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

    Protects farms and farm operations from nuisance claims when they follow generally accepted agricultural practices. 'Farm products' include apiaries, but the protection covers commercial production on farms, so it may not apply to backyard hobby hives.

    Selling Honey in Tennessee

    Under the Tennessee Food Freedom Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-1-118), honey and other foods made in a home-based kitchen and sold directly to consumers in Tennessee are exempt from state food licensing, permitting, and inspection. Products must carry a disclosure that they were made in a private residence exempt from state licensing and inspection and may contain allergens. Including the producer's name, address, and net weight on the label is good practice. Larger operators need a license: the TDA says anyone who packs or sells more than 835 gallons of honey per year must be licensed and inspected as a food manufacturing facility. Contact TDA Consumer and Industry Services at 615-837-5153 with product-specific questions.

    Official Tennessee guidance
    Price your honey for TennesseeList your honey free

    Tennessee Beekeeping Association

    Tennessee Beekeepers Association

    The Tennessee Beekeepers Association (TBA) serves beekeepers across the state with an annual fall conference and honey show, a beginning beekeeper course, and a directory of affiliated local clubs. It also shares Tennessee Department of Agriculture information on hive registration and honey producer grants.

    Visit Tennessee Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Tennessee has three broad beekeeping regions: East Tennessee (mountains and valleys), Middle Tennessee (rolling hills and the Highland Rim), and West Tennessee (the Mississippi River plain). East Tennessee is known for sourwood honey from summer-blooming sourwood trees. Middle Tennessee has major spring flows from tulip poplar, clover, and blackberry. West Tennessee has the longest growing season. Hot, humid summers favor small hive beetles throughout the state. Winters are milder than in northern states but still require adequate stores and wind protection. Spring severe storms and tornadoes are a concern, especially in Middle and West Tennessee.

    See the month-by-month Tennessee beekeeping calendar

    Tips for Tennessee Beekeepers

    • Register each apiary location with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and re-register every three years. Registration also puts you on the State Apiarist's disease-alert list.
    • Registering matters beyond compliance: Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-15-125 limits liability for stings or damage only for registered beekeepers who follow the Apiary Act.
    • Tennessee law requires movable frames in all hives so they can be inspected. The State Apiarist can order bees in hives without movable frames to be transferred.
    • Small hive beetles thrive in Tennessee's warm, humid summers. Keep colonies strong, use beetle traps, and freeze comb before storing it.
    • Tennessee's varied terrain produces distinctive honeys, including sourwood from the eastern mountains and tulip poplar across much of the state.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

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

    Tennessee Beekeeping Calendar

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

    View Tennessee Calendar

    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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