Backyard beekeeping is legal in Buffalo with hives registered with the NY Department of Agriculture and Markets. Hives must be set back from property lines and a flyway barrier is required near neighboring yards. No city-level permit fee applies.
Buffalo allows residential beekeeping and does not require a city permit beyond compliance with Chapter 341 nuisance provisions. Beekeepers must register hives annually with the NY Department of Agriculture and Markets Apiary Program (free registration). Best practices recommended by the city and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County include: hives set back at least 10 feet from property lines, a 6-foot flyway barrier (fence or hedge) when hives are within 25 feet of a property line, and a water source on-site to prevent bees from gathering at neighbors pools. Hive density is typically limited to 2 hives per standard urban lot. African honeybees and swarms are to be reported immediately.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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