Charleston, WV Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Max colonies (up to 10,000 sf lot)
- 2 colonies
- Max colonies (over 40,000 sf lot)
- 12 colonies
- Minimum hive setback
- 5 ft from property line
- Flyway barrier trigger
- hive within 25 ft of line
- Multi-family properties
- beekeeping prohibited
Summary
Charleston's zoning code limits home beekeeping to 2-12 hive colonies based on lot size and requires hives to sit in rear yards, away from property lines.
13. Beekeeping shall be regulated as follows: a. On lots measuring up to 10,000 square feet in area, a maximum of 2 colonies are permitted... b. Beekeeping shall occur only in rear yards of single-family residential properties... Beekeeping is prohibited on multi-family properties. c. Hives must be located at least 5 feet from any property line.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Charleston's zoning ordinance regulates beekeeping by lot size: up to 10,000 sq ft allows 2 colonies, 10,001-20,000 sq ft allows 4, 20,001-40,000 sq ft allows 6, and lots over 40,000 sq ft allow 12. Hives must sit in rear yards on single-family lots (or rear yards/rooftops on commercial lots) and stay at least 5 feet from any property line. Beekeeping is barred outright on multi-family properties, and commercial sale of honey or bee products from a residential property is not allowed.
Violations & Fines
A flyway barrier at least 6 feet tall, spanning 10 feet beyond the hive in each direction, is required wherever a hive sits within 25 feet of a shared property line unless a 6-foot privacy fence already runs the boundary. The use also cannot become a nuisance from aggressive bees, noise, or odor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep bees on a small residential lot in Charleston?
Do I need a barrier around my hives?
Can I sell honey from my house in Charleston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
Compare Charleston to another location·View the West Virginia animal ordinances overview
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