Dallas County, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- County Restrictions
- None
- Registration
- TAIS required (TX Ag Code Ch. 131)
- Hive Limits
- None at county level
- Tax Exemption
- Agricultural use available
Summary
No county beekeeping restrictions. TX Agriculture Code Chapter 131 governs apiary registration statewide. Beekeepers must register hives with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service. No county setback, hive count, or lot size requirements.
Sec. 131.041. PERMIT FOR INTERSTATE MOVEMENT. (a) A person may not ship or cause to be shipped bees or equipment into or out of this state unless the person has a permit issued by the chief apiary inspector authorizing the shipment. (b) A permit issued under this section applies to all shipments made by the beekeeper and expires on August 31 following the date the permit is issued. The term of a permit may not exceed one year ... Sec. 131.025. REPORTABLE DISEASES AND PESTS. (a) The chief apiary inspector shall maintain and publish a list of reportable diseases and pests. (b) If a beekeeper knows that a colony of bees has a reportable disease or contains a reportable pest, the beekeeper shall immediately report to the chief apiary inspector all facts known about the affected bees.
Full Breakdown
Beekeeping in unincorporated Dallas County is essentially unregulated at the county level. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 governs beekeeping statewide, requiring all beekeepers to register their apiaries with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. The Chief Apiary Inspector may inspect hives for disease. There are no county-imposed setback requirements, hive count limits, or lot size minimums for beekeeping. The county cannot zone or restrict beekeeping on private property. HOA or deed restrictions may impose private limits in subdivisions. Texas law provides tax exemptions for agricultural use including beekeeping under TX Tax Code Section 23.51.
Violations & Fines
Failure to register apiary: TX Agriculture Code Ch. 131 violation. Disease non-reporting penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep bees in unincorporated Dallas County?
Are there hive count limits in unincorporated Dallas County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas County to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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