Bonneville County, ID Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

068 governs "Hobbyist Apiaries" and expressly excludes commercial or agricultural beekeeping operations. Beekeeping is allowed as an accessory use to a residence in all zoning districts in the unincorporated area, conditioned on the beekeeper being registered with the state and complying with the section; wasps, hornets, and other noxious insects are never covered. Density is capped at three colonies per quarter acre with a hard ceiling of nine colonies per parcel regardless of size, and every colony must be kept in a hive with removable frames maintained in usable condition.

Hives must sit at least 20 feet from side and rear property lines and behind the residence relative to the front line, plus 25 feet from any dwelling, porch, gazebo, deck, pool, or fixed play equipment on an adjoining lot unless that neighbor gives written, recorded permission for closer placement. A six-foot fly-away barrier fence must surround the hives or run along the property line, and a sign of at least 100 square inches must be posted at the front of the property disclosing that beehives are present.

Keepers must maintain a year-round fresh water source (waived in winter) so bees do not congregate at neighbors' pools, and any unmaintained hive must be dismantled or removed. Aggressive colonies or any Africanized bee colony must be destroyed or re-queened. The county may enter and inspect any beekeeper's premises, and refusing that inspection is itself a zoning violation.