Beekeeping is legal throughout Albany County under NY Ag and Markets Law Article 15. Registration with the NY State Apiarist is required and most municipalities allow 2 to 4 hives on residential lots.
NY Ag and Markets Article 15 authorizes and regulates apiaries. Beekeepers should register hives annually with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. The City of Albany and surrounding towns generally allow backyard beekeeping with setbacks of 10 to 25 feet from property lines. HOA rules can still apply. The Capital District Beekeepers Association is a useful local resource.
Unregistered apiaries can face state fines up to 100 dollars per hive. Local zoning violations typically carry 100 to 250 dollar fines.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Albany County.
See how Albany's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
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