Denton Code Chapter 6 Article IV regulates residential beekeeping. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 requires all beekeepers to register apiaries annually with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service. Hives must be in movable-frame equipment for state inspection access. HOAs cannot ban beekeeping on lots of 1/4 acre or larger under TX Property Code 202.007.
Denton Code of Ordinances Chapter 6 Article IV governs beekeeping within city limits. Hives must maintain adequate flyway barriers or setbacks so that bee flight paths do not cross neighboring properties at head height. A permanent water source must be maintained on the property to prevent bees from seeking water on neighboring land. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 requires all beekeepers, including hobbyists, to register their apiaries annually with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Registration is free. Hives must use movable-frame equipment to permit TAIS disease inspection. TAIS inspectors may inspect for American foulbrood, European foulbrood, and other reportable diseases and may order destruction of infected colonies. Texas Property Code Section 202.007(d), effective September 1, 2023, prohibits HOAs from restricting beekeeping on lots of one-quarter acre or more, provided no more than the allowed number of hives are kept and the beekeeper complies with applicable municipal regulations. Denton is home to an active UNT campus apiary program and several community beekeeping groups.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Denton, TX
Denton Code Sec. 6-9 prohibits any animal from creating noise that interferes with neighbors' reasonable enjoyment of their property. Residents within 300 fe...
Denton, TX
Denton Sec. 17-20 uses a reasonableness standard rather than fixed decibel limits for most noise sources. The one specific numeric limit is 70 dBA at the eve...
Denton, TX
Denton Code Ch. 17, Art. II (Sec. 17-20) prohibits noise of such character, intensity, and duration as to substantially interfere with comfortable enjoyment ...
Denton, TX
Denton Sec. 17-20 caps outdoor amplified events at 70 dBA measured at the event perimeter. The Fry Street entertainment district near UNT and the downtown co...
Denton, TX
Denton has no standalone leaf blower ordinance. Leaf blowers are regulated under the general noise provisions of Sec. 17-20 and the construction-hours framew...
Denton, TX
Denton caps outdoor amplified sound at 70 dBA at the event perimeter under Sec. 17-20. Special event permits from the city are required for outdoor concerts,...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Denton County.
See how other cities in Denton County handle beekeeping.
See how Denton's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.