Albemarle County, VA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Lot line setback
- 10 feet from right-of-way or property line
- Structure setback
- 30 feet from any other structure
- Location
- Rear yard of the lot only
- Colony cap, half-acre lot
- 2 colonies
- Colony cap, over 5 acres
- No restriction
- Neighbor notice
- Written or verbal, at least 10 days ahead
Summary
Albemarle County's Zoning Ordinance regulates beekeeping directly at Sec. 18-5.1.63, capping how many hives a lot can hold and how close a beehive can sit to a property line. In Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville, hives must stay at least ten feet from a lot line or right-of-way, and the number of colonies allowed rises with lot size, from two on a half-acre lot to unlimited on parcels over five acres.
a.It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, place, or allow a beehive to remain:1.Closer than ten feet to a public right-of-way or to the lot line of an adjoining lot not owned by the person maintaining the beehive; or2.Closer than 30 feet to any structure other than the structure of the person maintaining the beehive. ... j.No person may keep more than the following numbers of bee colonies on any lot, based upon the size or configuration of the apiary lot:1.One-half acre or smaller lot: two colonies;2.Larger than one-half acre and up to three-fourths acre lot: four colonies;3.Larger than three-fourths acre and up to one acre lot: six colonies;4.Larger than one acre and up to five acre lot: eight colonies;5.Larger than five acre lot: no restriction.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 63(a) makes it unlawful to keep, place, or allow a beehive to remain closer than ten feet to a public right-of-way or to an adjoining lot line not owned by the beekeeper, or closer than 30 feet to any structure other than the beekeeper's own. Every hive must face away from the neighboring lot or right-of-way, and hives may only sit in the rear yard of the lot as shown in the ordinance's own diagram. If a hive sits less than ten feet above ground and within 30 feet of a residential lot line or right-of-way, the beekeeper must install a barrier at least six feet tall, made of fencing or evergreen vegetation, extending at least ten feet past the hive on either side to force bees to fly above head height.
Colony numbers are scaled to the size of the "apiary lot": two colonies on a lot of a half acre or smaller, four on up to three-quarters of an acre, six on up to one acre, eight on up to five acres, and no cap above five acres. Beekeepers must post a visible warning sign with their name and an emergency phone number, give written or verbal notice to every abutting owner at least ten days before installing hives, keep wax comb and unused equipment sealed or stored indoors, and keep hive equipment painted and in good repair to avoid attracting swarms.
Violations & Fines
Keeping bees in violation of Sec. 18-5.1.63's setback, screening, colony-count, or notice requirements is a zoning violation under Sec. 18-36.1, enforced by the Zoning Administrator. The county can issue a civil summons of $200.00 for a first violation and $500.00 for each later one from the same facts, capped at $5,000.00 in total civil penalties, or escalate to a Class 1 misdemeanor charge under Sec. 18-36.4 carrying a fine of $10.00 to $1,000.00 per day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to my property line can I keep a beehive in Albemarle County?
How many beehives am I allowed to keep?
Do I have to tell my neighbors before keeping bees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albemarle County
Compare Albemarle County to another location·View the Virginia animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.