Burlington allows residential beekeeping consistent with Vermont's apiary statutes. Hives must be registered with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and kept in a way that avoids creating a nuisance for neighbors.
Vermont 6 V.S.A. Chapter 125 governs apiaries statewide and requires beekeepers to register hives with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Burlington layers basic nuisance and zoning rules on top of the state framework: hives are allowed in residential yards if they are set back from property lines, screened with a flyway barrier where appropriate, and supplied with water to discourage bees from foraging at neighbors' pools. Inspectors from the state apiary program may visit hives, and the city's Code Enforcement responds to complaints about swarming or aggressive colonies.
Vermont Agency of Agriculture inspection orders; Burlington Code Compliance nuisance citations if hives create swarming or sting hazards for neighbors.
Burlington, VT
Burlington Code of Ordinances §21-13 sets citywide quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, during which noise plainly audible between apartments or houses is d...
Burlington, VT
Burlington's Comprehensive Development Ordinance limits fences in the First Lot Layer (front yard) to 4 feet and fences in Second and Third Lot Layers (side ...
Burlington, VT
Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance (CDO) Article 5 treats storage sheds as accessory structures incidental to a residential use. Sheds may encroa...
Burlington, VT
Burlington's short-term rental ordinance (Chapter 18, adopted 2022) requires hosts to disclose at registration the number of vehicles used by residents and g...
Burlington, VT
Burlington short-term rental hosts must comply with citywide noise rules in Burlington Code of Ordinances Chapter 21, Section 21-13. Quiet hours run 10:00 p....
Burlington, VT
Residential swimming pool barriers in Burlington are governed by the Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code, adopted by the Vermont Division of Fire Safety un...
See how Burlington's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.