Clearwater, FL Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- FS 586
- Registration
- FDACS annual
- Local preemption
- Yes, except HOAs
- Standards
- FDACS BMPs
Summary
Beekeeping in Clearwater is governed by Florida Statute 586, which preempts most local regulation; registered hives are allowed in residential yards subject to FDACS Best Management Practices.
586.10  Powers and duties of department; preemption of local government ordinances. — (1)  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. (2)  The department shall: (a)  Administer and enforce this chapter. (b)  Adopt rules necessary to enforce this chapter, rules relating to standard grades for honey and other honeybee products, and, after consultation with local governments and other affected stakeholders, rules to administer this section.
Full Breakdown
Florida Statute 586.10 preempts local governments from prohibiting or unreasonably regulating registered honeybee colonies. Clearwater therefore cannot ban hobby beekeeping, but the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) requires every beekeeper to register annually regardless of hive count, pay a small fee, and follow Best Management Practices including water sources, flyway barriers, and hive density limits based on lot size. Africanized colonies must be requeened or removed. Nuisance complaints (stinging incidents, swarming) can still be addressed under Clearwater Code as a public nuisance. Homeowners' associations and deed-restricted communities may impose stricter limits since they are not preempted.
Violations & Fines
FDACS administrative fines for unregistered apiaries, mandatory removal or requeening of aggressive colonies, and city nuisance citations for unmaintained hives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep honey bees in Clearwater?
Do I need a permit to keep bees in Clearwater?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clearwater
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Clearwater to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Pinellas County handle beekeeping.