Burleson, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Section 6-18 of the Burleson Code allows honey bees only if every listed condition is met. The first is a beekeeping permit from the animal control authority, which can inspect any permitted property at any time. Permits are renewed annually, and each renewal requires inspection and approval by the animal control authority or its designee. A permit is issued to a specific owner for a specific property, so a new application is required if the permit holder moves to a new residence within the city and wants bees there, or if ownership of the permitted property changes and the new owners want bees.

Permit holders must follow standards of practice. A colony situated within ten feet of a private or public property line, including schools, measured from the nearest point on the hive, needs a flyaway barrier at least six feet in height made of a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation, or a combination. A convenient water source must be available to the bees at all times, colonies must sit in hives with removable frames or bars kept in sound condition, aggressive hives must be re-queened, and any hive contaminated with or known to have Africanized bees must be destroyed by a qualified beekeeper at the owner's expense.

Colony counts depend on lot size in areas zoned residential: one-half acre or less allows a maximum of two colonies, more than one-half acre up to one acre allows four, and a lot larger than one acre allows six. Each colony can be built up to three boxes, of which only one can be a deep box. Section 6-12(d) adds a nuisance track: a sworn complaint to the municipal court leads to a hearing within 15 days of the judge receiving the complaint, and if the court finds the bees deny a neighbor reasonable use and enjoyment of property or endanger health, the beekeeper must remove them within ten calendar days.