All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in Texas

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

    Last updated: · Verified against official sources

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

    Texas has no statewide residential hive limit. See the exact hive limits, setbacks, and city ordinances for 2026 below.

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    Key Facts - Texas Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    No - not required statewide

    Residential Hive Limits

    Texas has no statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS), Texas A&M AgriLife Research

    State Registration Requirements

    Texas does not require beekeepers to register. TAIS offers voluntary registration for $35 per year, which is needed for some programs, such as filing a bee removal statement or being listed with TAIS. TAIS runs the state's apiary program under Chapter 131 of the Texas Agriculture Code and handles disease and pest inspections and interstate permits. Moving bees into or out of Texas generally requires a permit, which costs $200. Hive equipment kept anywhere other than your primary residence must be permanently marked with identification in letters or numbers at least one inch tall, or the apiary must have a weatherproof sign with the manager's contact information. City and county ordinances, and HOA rules, can add local requirements.

    Registration Fees

    Registration is optional and costs $35 per year (valid September 1 through August 31). Other TAIS fees: interstate permit $200, requested apiary inspection $100, apiary equipment brand $10, bee removal statement free.

    Visit the TAIS apiary program

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    Texas has no statewide residential hive limit. Limits, where they exist, come from city ordinances, deed restrictions, or HOA rules. Austin, for example, caps colonies by lot size, while Dallas and Houston have no bee-specific section in their animal ordinances.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit. Land of 5 to 20 acres can qualify for agricultural (1-d-1) appraisal through beekeeping under Tax Code § 23.51. County appraisal districts set the minimum number of colonies, commonly 6 colonies for the first 5 acres with more required as acreage increases.

    Setback Requirements

    Texas has no statewide setback or flyway-barrier requirement. Where cities regulate bees, the local code sets the rules. Austin, for example, requires a 6-foot flyway barrier for hives within 25 feet of a property line unless the neighboring land is undeveloped.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Austin

    Hive Limits

    Maximum colonies by tract size: 2 on one-quarter acre or less; 4 on more than one-quarter acre but less than one-half acre; 6 on one-half acre up to 1 acre; 8 on 1 acre or more. The number is unlimited if every hive is at least 200 feet from each property line, or if the tract adjoins undeveloped property for at least 200 feet from any hive. For swarm management, one nucleus colony is allowed for every two permitted colonies, for up to 30 days.

    Setbacks

    A colony within 25 feet of a property line needs a flyway barrier parallel to that line. The barrier must be a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation, or a combination at least 6 feet high, extending at least 10 feet beyond the hives on each end. No barrier is required if the adjoining property is undeveloped for at least 25 feet.

    Notes

    City Code Chapter 3-6 (Beekeeping) requires Langstroth-type hives with removable frames, a water source for the bees, and sealed storage for comb and hive debris. Aggressive colonies must be requeened immediately with stock bred for gentleness. Hives not on the owner's home tract need owner identification. The code has no permit requirement or front-yard ban.

    Austin ordinance

    Dallas

    Hive Limits

    No bee-specific hive limit. Chapter 7 (Animals) of the Dallas City Code has no beekeeping section.

    Setbacks

    The Dallas City Code has no bee-specific setback or flyway-barrier requirement.

    Notes

    Beekeeping in Dallas is governed by general nuisance and animal-disturbance provisions (for example, § 7-7.4, Disturbance by animals) rather than a beekeeping ordinance. Check HOA and deed restrictions before placing hives.

    Dallas ordinance

    Houston

    Hive Limits

    No bee-specific hive limit. Chapter 6 (Animals and Fowl) of the Houston Code of Ordinances regulates fowl, rabbits, livestock, wild animals, dogs, and cats, but has no beekeeping section.

    Setbacks

    The Houston Code of Ordinances has no bee-specific setback. Place hives away from property lines and neighbors' living areas to avoid nuisance complaints.

    Notes

    Houston has no traditional zoning code, but many neighborhoods have deed restrictions, which the city can help enforce, and HOA rules that may limit or prohibit hives. State law does not bar cities from banning beehives. Keep hives from becoming a nuisance to neighbors.

    Houston ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 131 (Bees and Honey)

    Tex. Agric. Code ch. 131

    The state's bee law. It gives the chief apiary inspector (TAIS) authority over inspections, bee diseases and pests, quarantines, interstate permits, sale of bees and queens, and hive identification. Subchapter E sets standards for honey sales and labeling, including imitation honey and honey mixtures. It does not require hobbyists to register.

    Honey production operation exemption

    Tex. Health & Safety Code §§ 437.001(7), 437.0197–437.01991 (SB 1766, 2015; amended by HB 519, 2025)

    A beekeeper selling raw, unblended pure honey or honeycomb from their own bees is not a food service establishment. Local governments, including health departments, may not regulate honey production at such an operation. Extracting and bottling honey counts as harvesting and packaging a raw agricultural commodity. HB 519, effective September 1, 2025, removed the former 2,500-pound cap, the sales-venue limits, and the special label statement.

    Agricultural appraisal for beekeeping

    Tex. Tax Code § 23.51(2)

    Includes raising or keeping bees for pollination or for producing human food or other commercial products as an agricultural use. Land used for beekeeping must be at least 5 and no more than 20 acres to qualify for this category. Appraisal districts set local intensity standards.

    Selling Honey in Texas

    Yes. Since September 1, 2025 (HB 519), a beekeeper who sells raw, pure honey or honeycomb from their own bees, not blended or adulterated, is a "honey production operation." That makes the beekeeper exempt from food service establishment rules, and local health departments may not regulate the honey production. The former 2,500-pound annual cap, the list of allowed sales venues, and the required "not inspected by DSHS" label statement were removed. Labels must meet Agriculture Code Chapter 131, Subchapter E, which covers pure honey versus honey mixtures and imitation honey. Standard packaged-food labeling (the word "honey," net weight, and your name and address) remains good practice. Blended, flavored, or infused honey products fall outside the exemption and may need Texas DSHS licensing or the cottage food rules.

    Official Texas guidance
    Price your honey for TexasList your honey free

    Texas Beekeeping Association

    Texas Beekeepers Association

    The Texas Beekeepers Association (TBA) is a member-based organization representing hobby, sideliner, and commercial beekeepers and local beekeeping associations across Texas. It holds the Texas Summer Clinic, an annual convention, and the Texas Honey Show, publishes the TBA Journal, and keeps a directory of local clubs, honey sellers, and swarm-removal contacts.

    Visit Texas Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Texas covers a wide range of climates, so beekeeping conditions vary greatly across the state. In South Texas bees may forage nearly year-round, while North Texas and Panhandle colonies need winter preparation. Hot, dry summers in West Texas call for extra attention to water sources, while the humid Gulf Coast favors small hive beetles. Drought is a major concern statewide, so monitor nectar availability and be prepared to feed during dry spells. Hurricane season (June through November) can disrupt coastal colonies, so secure hives well.

    See the month-by-month Texas beekeeping calendar

    Tips for Texas Beekeepers

    • Africanized honey bees are established across much of Texas, especially in the south and central regions. Requeen defensive colonies with gentle European stock.
    • Beekeeping can qualify 5 to 20 acres for agricultural appraisal. Check your county appraisal district's colony minimums before you rely on it.
    • Summer heat can be extreme, so give hives afternoon shade where possible and a reliable water source close by.
    • Nectar flow timing varies widely across Texas. South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley start earlier, and the Panhandle later, so learn your local bloom calendar.
    • TAIS registration is optional ($35 per year), but you need a TAIS permit to move bees across state lines, and hives kept away from your home must be marked with your identification.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

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

    Texas Beekeeping Calendar

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

    View Texas Calendar

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

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

    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 Texas expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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