All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in Washington

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

    Last updated: · Verified against official sources

    Yes — Washington requires beekeepers to register their hives with the WSDA.

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

    Last updated

    Key Facts - Washington Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    Yes - through WSDA

    Residential Hive Limits

    No statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), Plant Protection Division - Apiary Program

    State Registration Requirements

    Under RCW 15.60.021, every person owning one or more hives with bees in Washington, including backyard hobbyists, must register with WSDA by April 1 each year; brokers renting hives and out-of-state apiarists operating in Washington must register too. Registration is done by mailing WSDA Form 6116 with payment to the WSDA Plant Protection Division, and each registrant receives an apiarist identification number. Registrations expire December 31. Fees go into an apiary account used for the program and for research projects of benefit to the beekeeping industry, including work with Washington State University. Violations of the chapter are misdemeanors and can also draw a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

    Registration Fees

    Annual fee on a sliding scale by colony count (WAC 16-602-025): $5 for 1-5 colonies, $10 for 6-25, $25 for 26-100, $50 for 101-300, $100 for 301-500, $200 for 501-1,000, and $300 for 1,001 or more. Brokers pay $100. A late fee of 1.5% per month applies to registrations received after April 1 (not charged to first-time registrants).

    Register with WSDA

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    No statewide residential hive limit. Cities set their own limits; for example, Seattle and Tacoma allow up to 4 hives on lots under 10,000 sq ft, and Spokane allows one colony per 4,350 sq ft of lot area up to 8.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit on rural or agricultural land. A county may designate apiary coordinated areas (RCW 15.60.065-.095) that set a maximum number of hives per site, minimum distances between sites, and setbacks from property lines.

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement for ordinary hives. Setbacks come from city and county codes, and they vary a lot (Seattle: 25 feet from any lot line unless hives are raised 8 feet or sit behind a 6-foot fence or hedge; Tacoma: 75 feet unless behind a 6-foot fence or hedge). The exception is a county-designated apiary coordinated area, where the county order sets minimum setbacks from property lines.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Seattle

    Hive Limits

    No more than 4 hives, each with only one swarm, on lots under 10,000 sq ft. The code sets no specific number for larger lots. Beekeeping is permitted outright as an accessory use in all zones.

    Setbacks

    Hives may not be within 25 feet of any lot line unless they sit 8 feet or more above the adjacent grade, or are behind a solid fence or hedge 6 feet high that runs parallel to any lot line within 25 feet of the hive and extends at least 20 feet beyond the hive in both directions.

    Notes

    SMC 23.42.052(E) permits beekeeping only when the hives are registered with WSDA. SMC 10.36.010 also requires movable-frame hives, enough space to prevent overcrowding and swarming, and requeening after swarming or aggressive behavior. Bees kept outside movable-frame hives, abandoned colonies, and diseased bees are public nuisances (SMC 10.36.020).

    Seattle ordinance

    Spokane

    Hive Limits

    One colony per 4,350 sq ft of lot area, up to a maximum of 8 colonies. Allowed as an accessory use on lots with a single-family residence in the RA, RSF, RTF, RMF and RHD zones.

    Setbacks

    Colonies must be at least 25 feet from any property line. A colony can be within 10 feet of a side or rear lot line if the hives are fenced off from public access and a flyway barrier at least 6 feet high runs parallel to the property line and extends 10 feet beyond the colony in each direction, or if the colony sits 10 feet or more above the grade of the nearest adjoining property line.

    Notes

    SMC 17C.310.130 also requires movable-frame hives, requeening of aggressive or swarming colonies, a water supply close to each colony, annual WSDA registration by April 1, and completion of the apprentice level of the Washington State Beekeepers Association master beekeeper program. Educational or research beekeeping by institutions needs a Type II conditional use permit.

    Spokane ordinance

    Tacoma

    Hive Limits

    Lots under 10,000 sq ft may have no more than 4 hives (TMC 5.24.010). The code sets no specific number for larger lots.

    Setbacks

    Hives may not be within 75 feet of any property line, public street, sidewalk, or alley unless they are behind a solid fence or hedge 6 feet high that runs parallel to any property line within 25 feet of the hive and extends at least 20 feet beyond the hive in both directions, or unless the fence completely encloses the hives.

    Notes

    TMC Chapter 5.24 (Apiaries) requires WSDA registration, movable-frame hives, and handling and space adequate to prevent unprovoked stinging 75 feet or more from the hive. It is enforced by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and police. Violations are misdemeanors. The code text was confirmed from a 2022 WASBA compilation, and the chapter is still listed in the April 2026 official code index; check Tacoma's zoning code (Title 13) for any additional placement rules.

    Tacoma ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Apiaries

    RCW Chapter 15.60

    Requires annual registration of all hives with WSDA by April 1 (RCW 15.60.021), sets a 1.5% per month late fee, puts collected money into an apiary account, allows counties to create apiary coordinated areas with hive-density and setback rules, and makes violations a misdemeanor with civil penalties up to $1,000.

    Apiaries (WSDA rules)

    WAC Chapter 16-602

    WSDA's rules for the apiary program, including the registration fee schedule by colony count (WAC 16-602-025) and the broker registration fee (WAC 16-602-026).

    Honey

    RCW Chapter 69.28

    Washington's honey standards and marketing law. It covers grading, labeling, floral-source labels (a blend cannot be labeled as one floral source), used containers, and prohibits selling adulterated or nonconforming honey.

    Honey Bee Commission

    RCW Chapter 15.62

    Authorizes a honey bee commission established by referendum of producers to fund research, education, and promotion for the industry.

    Selling Honey in Washington

    Washington beekeepers who extract their own honey can sell it raw, to consumers or wholesale, without a WSDA Food Processor License. A license is required if the honey is processed, meaning cooked, pasteurized, blended, spun or creamed, or mixed with added ingredients or flavors (for example, flavored honey sticks). WSDA sets no sales cap for raw honey. All honey offered for sale must be labeled with the word "Honey," the producer's name and address, net weight, and the grade (producers may grade it themselves using USDA standards). A floral source is optional, but if one is listed it must name all sources in the blend. The hives that produced the honey must be registered with WSDA.

    Official Washington guidance
    Price your honey for WashingtonList your honey free

    Washington Beekeeping Association

    Washington State Beekeepers Association

    The Washington State Beekeepers Association (WASBA) is the statewide volunteer umbrella organization for more than 20 local affiliate beekeeping clubs. It runs a five-level Master Beekeeper certification program, publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, holds an annual conference, funds research with Washington State University, and works with the state legislature on beekeeping issues.

    Visit Washington State Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Washington has two very different climates, split by the Cascade Range. Western Washington (Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia) has mild, wet winters and cool springs, and winter losses there are often linked to moisture rather than cold. Provide upper ventilation, moisture quilts or absorbent insulation, and tilt hives slightly forward to drain. The long, mild fall extends foraging but also prolongs varroa pressure. Eastern Washington (Spokane, Yakima, Tri-Cities) has cold, dry winters and hot, dry summers, and winter wrapping and windbreaks help there. Statewide, colonies should go into fall with ample honey stores, strong populations, and varroa treatment finished by late summer.

    See the month-by-month Washington beekeeping calendar

    Tips for Washington Beekeepers

    • Register your hives with WSDA by April 1 every year. It costs $5 for 1-5 colonies, and some cities (Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma) require WSDA registration as a condition of keeping bees.
    • Check your city code before placing hives. Setbacks vary widely, from 25 feet in Seattle and Spokane to 75 feet in Tacoma, unless you use a qualifying fence or flyway barrier.
    • Western Washington's wet, cool springs call for strong, healthy colonies. Watch for nosema and chalkbrood in damp conditions, and use upper ventilation or moisture quilts in winter.
    • Eastern Washington winters are colder and drier. Windbreaks and insulation help colonies overwinter.
    • Consider WASBA's five-level Master Beekeeper certification program. Spokane requires beekeepers in the city to complete its apprentice level.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

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

    Washington Beekeeping Calendar

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

    View Washington Calendar

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

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

    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 Washington expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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