Cornelius, NC Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

NC GS 106-635 (NC Bee and Honey Act of 1977) preempts local bans on 5 or fewer hives, meaning Cornelius cannot prohibit hobby beekeeping on any residential lot that otherwise meets setbacks. Cornelius applies reasonable setback and nuisance regulations: hives must be at least 10 feet from any property line; if placed within 25 feet of an adjoining dwelling or frequently-used area, a 6-foot tall flyway barrier (solid fence or dense hedge) is required to route bees upward above head height. Water sources should be provided on-site so bees do not forage at neighbor pools. Registration with NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Apiary Inspection Program is voluntary but recommended and unlocks pesticide-notification registry benefits for a 10 dollar fee. Commercial apiaries (200+ colonies) face additional licensing. HOAs in Cornelius lakefront neighborhoods (The Peninsula, Robbins Park, Magnolia Estates) often restrict or prohibit beekeeping via CC&Rs; NC GS 106-635 does NOT preempt HOA CC&Rs, only local-government bans. Africanized honey bees are not established in NC. Swarm removal by Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association volunteers.