Santa Rosa County, FL Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Who regulates
- State FDACS, not the county
- Preemption statute
- FS 586.10
- Registration
- Required with FDACS, annual
- Standards
- State Best Management Requirements
- County setbacks
- Cannot override state rules
Summary
Santa Rosa County cannot regulate registered honeybee colonies. Florida law (FS 586.10) preempts beekeeping regulation to the state Department of Agriculture (FDACS). Register your colonies with FDACS and follow state Best Management Practices.
The authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies and to adopt rules on the placement and location of registered inspected managed honeybee colonies is preempted to the state through the department and supersedes any related ordinance adopted by a county, municipality, or political subdivision thereof.
Full Breakdown
Beekeeping in Florida is governed by the state, not the county. FS 586.10 preempts the authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies and to set rules on their placement to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, superseding any county or city ordinance. That means Santa Rosa County cannot ban hives or impose its own setbacks on registered, inspected colonies. Beekeepers must register their colonies with FDACS (renewed annually) and comply with the state's adopted Best Management Requirements, which set colony-density and maintenance standards by lot size. Contact FDACS's Apiary Inspection program to register.
Violations & Fines
Enforcement is by FDACS, not the county. Keeping unregistered colonies or non-compliant hives can lead to state inspection, quarantine, or destruction orders under Ch. 586.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Santa Rosa County ban or limit my beehives?
Do I need to register my hives?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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