Prince George's County, MD Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Subtitle 27, the Zoning Ordinance, defines beekeeping under Section 27-2500, Definitions, as the raising or producing of bees, beeswax, honey, and by-products. Table 27-5201(b), the Accessory Use/Structure Table for Rural and Agricultural, and Residential Base Zones, lists beekeeping as a 'P,' meaning Permitted by Right, in all eleven zones on the table: ROS, AG, AR, RE, RR, RSF-95, RSF-65, RSF-A, RMF-12, RMF-20, and RMF-48. Unlike many of its neighboring rows on that same table, such as Agritourism or the accessory ATM standard, beekeeping's Use-Specific Standards column is left blank, meaning Section 27-5203, Standards Specific to Accessory Uses and Structures, carries no hive-count limit, lot-size minimum, or dedicated setback written specifically for beekeeping.

That does not mean a hive can go anywhere on the lot. Section 27-5202, General Standards for All Accessory Uses and Structures, still applies to any accessory structure without its own listed standard, and its default rule for animal enclosures covers a beehive: accessory structures used for housing animals, including coops, runs, pens, and hutches, must sit at least 25 feet from a side or rear lot line and at least 50 feet from any dwelling on an adjoining lot. Beekeeping also has to obtain any other County, municipal, State, or federal permit that otherwise applies, though the Ordinance exempts most accessory uses, beekeeping included, from needing a use and occupancy permit of their own.