Bothell, WA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- City permit
- None required if the subsection is met
- Lots of 10,000 sq ft or less
- No more than four hives
- Larger lots
- One more hive per 2,500 sq ft, maximum 10
- Setback
- 25 feet from any property line, with exceptions
- State registration
- Washington State Department of Agriculture, Chapter 15.60 RCW
- Multifamily
- Hobby beekeeping not allowed as accessory use
Summary
In the City of Bothell, Washington, hobby beekeeping needs no city permit under BMC 12.06.190(B)(4), but lots of 10,000 square feet or less are capped at four hives, larger lots add one hive per 2,500 square feet up to 10, and each hive sits 25 feet from property lines unless an elevation or fence exception applies.
4. The minimum requirements for hobby beekeeping are as follows: a. Required Review Process. No permit, review, or authorization from the city is required for beekeeping complying with the requirements of this subsection. b. Maximum Number of Hives. The maximum number of hives that may be located on a single lot shall be determined by lot size as follows: (1) No more than four hives, each with only one swarm, shall be kept on lots that are 10,000 square feet or less in area. (2) For each 2,500 square feet of lot area in excess of 10,000 square feet, one additional hive may be kept, up to a maximum of 10 hives. Each additional hive shall have only one swarm. ... d. Required Setbacks. Each hive must be located at least 25 feet from any property line, except that hives may be located closer than 25 feet to any property line where each hive is: (1) Situated eight feet or more above adjacent ground level; or (2) Situated less than six feet above adjacent ground level and behind a solid fence or hedge six feet in height parallel to any property line within 25 feet of the hive and extending at least 20 feet beyond the hive in both directions.
Full Breakdown
BMC 12.06.190(B)(4) sets the minimum requirements for hobby beekeeping. Required review process: no permit, review, or authorization from the city is required for beekeeping complying with the subsection. The use table marks hobby beekeeping permitted (P) in the R-C, R-L1/RL2, R-M1 through R-M3, R-M4, R-MHP and R-AC columns, and not permitted in OP, NB, CB, GC and LI.
Hive count follows lot size. No more than four hives, each with only one swarm, can be kept on lots of 10,000 square feet or less. For each 2,500 square feet of lot area beyond 10,000 square feet, one additional hive is allowed, up to a maximum of 10 hives, and each additional hive has only one swarm. No hive shall exceed the standard dimensions typical to the practice of beekeeping.
Setbacks: each hive must be at least 25 feet from any property line. A hive can sit closer where it is situated eight feet or more above adjacent ground level, or where it is less than six feet above adjacent ground level and behind a solid fence or hedge six feet in height parallel to any property line within 25 feet of the hive and extending at least 20 feet beyond the hive in both directions.
Special regulations require movable frame hives, adequate space in every hive to prevent overcrowding and swarming, and immediate requeening of any hive whose bees exhibit swarming or aggressive behavior. Beekeepers must register with the Washington State Department of Agriculture as required under Chapter 15.60 RCW. Hobby beekeeping is allowed as an accessory use to any permissible detached single-family use and is not allowed as an accessory use to any multifamily use anywhere in the city. BMC 8.24.050(K) makes bees kept other than in movable frame hives, abandoned colonies and diseased bees public nuisances. BMC 12.06.030 applies the same minimums to beekeeping for agricultural purposes.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the hive count, siting a hive inside the 25-foot setback without a qualifying exception, or skipping state registration violates BMC 12.06.190(B)(4). Under BMC 1.24.010, unless an ordinance prescribes a different punishment, a violation is a misdemeanor with a fine not to exceed $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both, and BMC 1.24.020 makes each day separate. Bees in non-movable hives, abandoned colonies and diseased bees are public nuisances under BMC 8.24.050(K).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep bees in the City of Bothell?
How many hives can I have on my Bothell lot?
Can I put a hive closer than 25 feet to my neighbor in Bothell?
Can I keep bees at an apartment in Bothell?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bothell
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