The following guidelines are used in Florida and developed from years of experience and research.
The placement of honey bee colonies on non-agricultural private lands must agree to and adhere to the following stipulations:
A. When a colony is situated within 15 feet of a property line, the beekeeper must establish and maintain a flyway barrier at least 6 feet in height consisting of a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation or combination thereof that is parallel to the property line and extends beyond the colony in each direction.
B. All properties, or portions thereof, where the honey bee colonies are located must be fenced, or have an equivalent barrier to prevent access, and have a gated controlled entrance to help prevent unintended disturbance of the colonies.
C. No honey bee colonies may be placed on public lands including schools, parks, and other similar venues except by special permit letter issued by the Director of the Division of Plant Industry and written consent of the property owner.
2. Honey bee colony densities on non-agricultural private land are limited to the following property size to colony ratios:
A. One quarter acre or less tract size - 3 colonies. Colony numbers may be increased up to six colonies as a swarm control measure for not more than a 60 day period of time.
B. More than one-quarter acre, but less than one-half acre tract size - 6 colonies. Colony numbers may be increased up to 12 colonies as a swarm control measure for not more than a 60 day period of time.
C. More than one-half acre, but less than one acre tract size - 10 colonies. Colony numbers may
be increased up to 20 colonies as a swarm control measure for not more than a 60 day period
of time.
D. One acre up to two and a half acres - 15 colonies. Colony numbers may be increased up to 30
colonies as a swarm control measure for not more than a 60 day period of time.
E. Two and a half to five acres - 25 colonies. Colony numbers may be increased up to 50
colonies as a swarm control measure for not more than a 60 day period of time.
F. Five up to 10 acres – 50 colonies. Colony numbers may be increased up to 100 colonies as a
swarm control measure for not more than a 60 day period of time.
G. Ten or more acres – 100 colonies. The number of colonies shall be unlimited provided all
colonies are at least 150 feet from property lines.
3. Beekeepers must provide a convenient source of water on the property that is available to the bees at
all times so that the bees do not congregate at unintended water sources.
4. Beekeepers must visually inspect all honey bee colonies a minimum of once a month to assure
reasonable colony health including adequate food and colony strength. If upon inspection honey
bees appear to be overly aggressive the beekeeper shall contact their assigned apiary inspector for an
assessment.
5. Re-queen collected swarms, new colonies and maintain colonies with queens or queen cells from
EHB queen producer(s).
6. Practice reasonable swarm prevention techniques as referenced in University of Florida’s Institute of
Food and Agricultural Sciences extension document “Swarm Control for Managed Beehives”, ENY
160, published November 2012.
7. Do not place apiaries within 150 feet of tethered or confined animals or public places where people
frequent. (Examples - day care centers, schools, parks, parking lots, etc.)
8. Do not place colonies in an area that will impede ingress or egress by emergency personnel to
entrances to properties and buildings.
9. Deed restrictions and covenants that prohibit or restrict the allowance for managed honey bee
colonies within their established jurisdictions take precedence and as a result supersede the authority
and requirements set forth in Chapter 586 Florida Statutes and Rule Chapter 5B-54, Florida
Administrative Code.
