Arvada, CO Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

' Section 38-403 then sets the technical standard. Every colony must live in a hive box with removable frames, kept in sound and usable condition, resting on a proper stand; no hive box may hold more than ten frames or exceed ten inches in height, 14 inches in width, and 19 inches in depth, and no single colony may contain more than three hive boxes or four supers. Colony density is capped by lot size under Table 38-403: two colonies on a quarter acre or less, four colonies up to a half acre, six colonies up to a full acre, and eight colonies on anything larger, though the cap disappears entirely if every hive box sits at least 200 feet from all property lines.

A beekeeper may also keep one nucleus colony for every two authorized colonies, disposed of or merged within 30 days of acquisition, plus up to four observation hives (only one if the property is zoned residential). Every hive box other than an observation hive must sit at least 25 feet from any adjoining property line and stays out of the front setback entirely. Section 38-403(a)(4) also requires the apiary site be kept neat, with old comb and hive debris promptly bagged or enclosed. A colony that violates these standards is unlawful and, under Section 38-404, the city manager can summarily destroy or remove an abandoned or non-compliant colony after 24 hours' written notice.