Beekeeping in unincorporated Franklin County is allowed subject to Ohio Department of Agriculture registration under ORC 909.02. All hives must be registered annually with the State Apiarist regardless of hive count. Township zoning may impose setbacks.
ORC 909 requires every beekeeper in Ohio to register apiaries with ODA by June 1 each year; registration is free. The State Apiarist inspects for American foulbrood and other diseases. Township zoning in Jefferson, Norwich, and Prairie typically requires hives to be set back at least 10 feet from property lines with a 6-foot flyway barrier if within 25 feet of a neighboring lot. Agricultural-zoned parcels over 5 acres are fully exempt from local zoning under ORC 519.21.
Failure to register: minor misdemeanor under ORC 909.99. Zoning setback violations: civil penalty set by township, typically 100 to 500 dollars plus relocation order.
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