Collin County, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- TX Ag Code Ch. 131
- Registration
- TAIS for 6+ colonies
- Ag Valuation
- TX Tax 23.51 (5-20 acres)
- County Setback
- None
- Africanized
- Reportable to TAIS
Summary
Beekeeping is broadly permitted in unincorporated Collin County. TX Agriculture Code 131 governs apiary registration with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) at Texas A&M. Six or more colonies require registration. No county setback rules.
Sec. 131.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) "Abandoned apiary, equipment, or bees" means an apiary, equipment, or a colony of bees that is not regularly maintained or attended in accordance with this chapter or rules or quarantines adopted under this chapter.(2) "Apiary" means a place where colonies of bees or nuclei of bees are kept.(3) "Beekeeper" means a person who owns, leases, possesses, controls, or manages one or more colonies of bees for any personal or commercial purpose.(4) "Bee" means any stage of the common honeybee, Apis mellifera species.(5) "Colony" means a distinguishable localized population of bees in which one or more life stages may be present.(6) "Director" means the director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research.(7
Full Breakdown
Beekeepers with 5 to 20 acres qualify for agricultural tax valuation under TX Tax Code 23.51 if they maintain 6 to 12 colonies. This is a popular tax strategy in rural Collin County. Colonies must be registered annually with TAIS. Contact Collin County at (972) 424-1460 for enforcement. This beekeeping rule under Collin County's animals ordinances applies to unincorporated areas of Collin County. For current statutory text, amendments, enforcement procedures, fines, appeal options, and any exemptions that may apply to your situation, contact Collin County code enforcement directly or consult the official Texas municipal code library. Ordinances change periodically; always verify with local staff before relying on summary information.
Sources & Official References
- [1]TAIS
- [2]TX Ag Code 131
Other rules in Collin County
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