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Boulder County, CO Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Code
BCLUC 4-516.D
Status
By right (Open Agricultural)
SR colony cap
2 per building lot
Colony
Queen + workers = 1
Agri zones
By right, no stated count

Summary

Boulder County Land Use Code 4-516.D permits accessory beekeeping by right in the F, A, RR, ER, SR, LI, GI, and MI zones. It is an Open Agricultural use. In the Suburban Residential (SR) zone, two colonies are allowed per building lot (a queen and her workers count as one

City-specific rules exist: Longmont has its own beekeeping rules that differ from Boulder County's county-level regulations. If you live in Longmont, check the city-specific page instead.

Beekeeping is an Open Agricultural use. Two (2) colonies are allowed per building lot in the SR zone district. (A queen and her worker bees are considered one colony.)

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under BCLUC Article 4-516.D, 'Accessory Beekeeping' means raising domestic honey bees to collect honey and is permitted by right across the agricultural and residential-agricultural districts, with no parking or loading requirements. It is classified as an Open Agricultural use. The only explicit numeric cap is in the Suburban Residential (SR) zone, where each building lot may keep two colonies; a queen and her worker bees are one colony. In the larger agricultural zones (F, A, RR, ER) beekeeping is by right without a stated hive count. The zoning-district table confirms SR residents may keep 'up to 8 hens and 2 bee colonies for their own use.' This is unincorporated-county code; cities regulate hives separately.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the two-colony SR cap or keeping bees in a district where the use is not permitted is a Land Use Code zoning violation enforced by Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting, which can order removal or require Special Review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep bees in unincorporated Boulder County?
Yes. BCLUC 4-516.D permits accessory beekeeping by right in the F, A, RR, ER, SR, LI, GI, and MI zones as an Open Agricultural use, with no permit fee for the use itself.
How many hives can I have on a suburban lot?
In the Suburban Residential (SR) zone, two colonies per building lot, where a queen and her worker bees count as one colony. Agricultural zones have no stated numeric cap.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Boulder County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsHeavy RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsFew RestrictionsWildlife FeedingHeavy RestrictionsPet LimitsHeavy RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions

All Boulder County rules

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