The Bowling Green Code of Ordinances does not contain a beekeeping-specific section. Beekeeping is governed by Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 252 (Apiaries), administered by the Kentucky State Apiarist within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). Kentucky beekeepers may be required to report colony information to the Commissioner, and KRS 252.190 authorizes KDA rules to control bee diseases. Hives must not violate Bowling Green's general nuisance provisions, and any for-profit operation keeping more than six animals (broadly defined) must also obtain a Multiple Animal Permit under Section 5-1.06.
Bowling Green's Chapter V (Animals) does not establish hive count limits, setback requirements, or a city-issued beekeeping permit. Beekeeping in Kentucky is regulated under Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 252 (Apiaries), enforced by the Kentucky State Apiarist within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Office of the State Veterinarian. KRS 252.190 authorizes the Department to adopt rules and regulations for the control of bee diseases and to inspect colonies. The Commissioner of Agriculture may order any person owning or possessing bees to report colony numbers and locations as deemed necessary for disease management. KRS 252.185 establishes the Kentucky Beekeeping Fund within the State Treasury, administered by KDA to improve, promote, protect, and support the beekeeping industry. Local educational support is available through the Warren County Beekeepers Association, which meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Warren County Extension Office (5162 Russellville Road, Bowling Green). Beekeepers within the Bowling Green city limits must keep apiaries in a way that does not violate the City's general nuisance provisions (Chapter V), and aggressive or out-of-control hives could be cited as a nuisance. Beekeeping is generally not a regulated 'animal-keeping' activity for purposes of the Multiple Animal Permit, but commercial-scale apiaries should confirm with the Code Compliance and Animal Protection Division (270-393-3102).
Maintaining an apiary that creates a nuisance (e.g., aggressive bees, swarming onto neighbors' property) may be cited by Code Compliance under the general nuisance provisions of Chapter V. Failure to comply with a Kentucky State Apiarist inspection or reporting order under KRS 252.190 is enforceable by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
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