Corpus Christi, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Article VIII of Chapter 6 (Sec. 6-226 through 6-238) regulates residential beekeeping. Sec. 6-234(a) sets colony limits by tract size: two colonies on a quarter acre or less, four colonies on more than a quarter acre but less than half an acre, six colonies on more than half an acre but less than one acre, and eight colonies on one acre or larger. There is no cap at all if every hive sits at least two hundred feet from all property lines, or if all neighboring land within two hundred feet of the hives remains undeveloped. Sec. 6-234(b) also allows one nucleus colony, in a hive body no deeper than nine and five-eighths inches, for every two authorized colonies, which must be combined or removed within thirty days.

Sec. 6-229 requires all colonies to be kept in 'Langstroth type hives with removable frames... kept in sound and usable condition.' Sec. 6-230 requires a flyway barrier at least six feet high, made of a solid wall, fence, or dense vegetation, whenever a hive sits within twenty-five feet of a property line, forcing bees to fly above six feet over the boundary; the barrier is not required if the adjoining land is undeveloped for at least twenty-five feet. Sec. 6-231 requires a water source near the hives so bees don't congregate at neighbors' pools or pet bowls, and Sec. 6-235 requires the beekeeper's name and phone number marked on at least two hives or posted on a sign, unless the beekeeper lives on the tract.

The animal care services manager may inspect an apiary between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. under Sec. 6-236, and under Sec. 6-237 can order bees destroyed or removed within twenty days after a hearing finds a violation, barring beekeeping on that tract for two years. Sec. 6-238 defers to the zoning ordinance if the two conflict.