Broomfield, CO Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- BMC § 6-24-050
- License fee
- $25 one-time, Community Development
- Hive limit (1/4 acre)
- 2 hives
- Hive limit (1 acre+)
- 8 hives
- No-limit exception
- Hives 200+ ft from all property lines
- Setback
- 10 feet from property lines, no front yard
- Africanized bees
- Prohibited outright
Summary
Broomfield bans keeping bees outside agricultural zones under Municipal Code Section 6-24-050, but allows backyard beekeeping in single-family zones with hive limits tied to lot size, from two hives on a quarter acre up to eight hives on an acre or more, plus setback, flyway-barrier and $25 licensing rules.
(A)It is unlawful to keep bees in any zone of the city, except agricultural zones, as a trade, profession, occupation, enterprise, operation, vocation, avocation, hobby, or activity and except as allowed under section 6-24-050(D). ... (D)Beekeeping is allowed in single family zones subject to the following restrictions:(1)Maximum number of hives per lot:(a)One-quarter acre or less: two hives;(b)More than one-quarter acre up to and including one-half acre: four hives;(c)More than one-half acre but less than one acre: six hives;(d)One acre or larger: eight hives;(e)Regardless of lot size, where all hives are situated at least 200 feet from all property lines of the lot on which the hives are located, there shall be no limit to the number of hives.( ... 2)Location: Hives shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from all property lines and shall not be located in a front yard.(3)Flyway barrier: If a hive is within 25 feet of a property line a flyway barrier at least six feet tall extending at least two feet beyond the hive shall be maintained between the hive and property line.
Full Breakdown
Section 6-24-050(A) makes it unlawful to keep bees anywhere in the city except agricultural zones, unless the keeping falls under the residential exception in subsection (D). An agricultural zone under subsection (C) means property zoned A-1, or zoned PUD with no approved site development plan. Subsection (D) sets out that residential exception in detail. Hive counts scale with lot size: two hives on a quarter acre or less, four hives on more than a quarter up to a half acre, six hives on more than a half acre but less than an acre, and eight hives on a full acre or larger; regardless of lot size, there is no hive limit at all if every hive sits at least 200 feet from every property line.
For every two hives allowed, a beekeeper may also keep one nucleus colony for swarm management. Hives must sit back at least ten feet from all property lines and cannot go in a front yard. Any hive within 25 feet of a property line needs a flyway barrier, a fence or planting at least six feet tall extending two feet past the hive, though an existing six-foot privacy fence on or inside the line satisfies this. Keepers must maintain a fresh water source on the lot, must re-queen any colony that turns aggressive or swarms with gentler stock, and Africanized bees are flatly prohibited.
Any unmaintained swarm or colony is a declared nuisance the city can destroy or remove. Keeping bees requires a one-time $25 license from the Department of Community Development.
Violations & Fines
Keeping bees outside an agricultural zone without meeting the residential exception, exceeding the lot-size hive limit, skipping the required flyway barrier or ten-foot setback, keeping Africanized bees, or operating without the $25 Community Development license all violate Section 6-24-050 and are punishable under the general penalty in Chapter 1-12, B.M.C.; an unmaintained swarm can also be declared a nuisance and destroyed or removed by the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beehives can I keep in a Broomfield backyard?
Do I need a license to keep bees in Broomfield?
What happens if my bee colony swarms or turns aggressive?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broomfield
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