Jefferson County, CO Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential hive limit
- 2 hives
- Permit required
- Miscellaneous Permit (residential)
- Rule basis
- Zoning Resolution Section 5
- Ag zones
- No hive limit, personal use
- Also check
- HOA covenants
Summary
In many residential zones of unincorporated Jefferson County you may keep up to 2 beehives on single-family, duplex, or two-family lots, but only with a Miscellaneous Permit under the county's Urban Agriculture rules. Agricultural zones allow bees without number limits.
6 chickens and/or ducks (no roosters) and up to 2 bee hives are allowed in single-family, duplex, and two-family dwellings only with a Miscellaneous Permit per the Urban Agriculture requirements in the Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 5: Accessory Uses.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
The Jefferson County "Domestic Animals Permitted by Zoning" chart pairs beehives with backyard hens: residential zones marked "M" (e.g. R-1A, R-2, R-3, MR-3) allow 6 chickens/ducks and up to 2 bee hives only with a Miscellaneous Permit per the Urban Agriculture requirements in Zoning Resolution Section 5: Accessory Uses. Agricultural zones (A-1, A-2, A-35) meeting minimum lot size have no limit on bees for personal use. The county also advises checking HOA covenants, which may restrict hives beyond county rules.
Violations & Fines
Keeping hives without the required Miscellaneous Permit, or exceeding the 2-hive residential limit, is a zoning violation handled by Planning & Zoning through permit compliance and abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beehives can I keep in a Jeffco backyard?
Do I need a permit to keep bees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Colorado animal ordinances overview
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