Beekeeping is lawful across Somerset County, but New Jersey requires every beekeeper who overwinters bees to register their apiary annually with the state Department of Agriculture under N.J.A.C. 2:24-3.1. Municipalities may add hive-placement setbacks; no county permit exists.
Keeping honey bees is legal throughout Somerset County and treated as agriculture under New Jersey law. The binding statewide rule is registration: N.J.A.C. 2:24-3.1, under the state apiary statute N.J.S.A. 4:6-9.1 et seq., requires all beekeepers who overwinter bees to register their apiary locations annually with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Apiary Inspection Program and obtain an inspection number. The state, not the county, inspects colonies for disease. Municipal zoning ordinances in denser towns like Somerville may add hive-placement setbacks from lot lines, while large-lot areas of Hillsborough and Montgomery impose little. Qualifying commercial apiaries gain Right to Farm protection.
Failing to register overwintered colonies with the Department of Agriculture violates N.J.A.C. 2:24-3.1 and is enforced by the state apiary inspector. A municipality can enforce zoning setbacks on hive placement.
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