Snohomish County, WA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Beekeeping allowed
- Yes
- State registration
- Required (WSDA)
- State law
- RCW 15.60.030
- County hive cap
- None in Title 9
- Placement
- Zoning setbacks apply
Summary
Beekeeping is allowed in unincorporated Snohomish County. There is no county-specific hive ban, but all colonies must be registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture under state apiary law. Local zoning setbacks apply to hive placement.
All colonies shall be registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture in accordance with apiary law, RCW 15.60.030.
Full Breakdown
Snohomish County does not ban backyard beekeeping. State apiary law, RCW 15.60.030, requires every beekeeper to register their apiaries annually with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Hive placement in residential settings is subject to Title 30 zoning setbacks and good-neighbor practices - keeping hives back from property lines and directing bee flight upward with a fence or hedge. Because the county sets no numeric hive cap in Title 9, follow WSDA registration plus your zone's structure/setback standards. Some incorporated cities set their own hive counts and setbacks that differ from the county.
Violations & Fines
Failure to register colonies with WSDA violates state apiary law and can bring state enforcement. Nuisance hives may be addressed under county nuisance provisions; zoning setback violations are enforced by code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my hives?
How many hives can I keep?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
Compare Snohomish County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.