Kentucky requires beekeepers to register colonies with the State Apiarist and comply with disease inspection requirements. The state regulates apiary health uniformly under KRS Chapter 252, ensuring consistent oversight of honey bees across all jurisdictions.
KRS 252.190 through 252.260 establishes the State Apiarist within the Department of Agriculture and requires beekeepers to register hives. Inspectors can examine colonies for American foulbrood and other communicable diseases, and may order destruction of diseased hives. The state regulates importation of bees and used equipment to prevent disease spread. While the state preempts disease and apiary health regulation, local zoning ordinances may still restrict where hives can be placed within municipal limits, including setback and density rules.
Failure to register hives or interfering with state inspections may result in civil penalties and quarantine orders. Selling diseased bees is prohibited.
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