Fort Wayne, IN Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Small-lot limit
- 2 hives (up to 6,000 sq ft)
- Mid-lot limits
- 4 hives (6,000-16,000 sq ft)
- Large-lot limit
- 8 hives (over 25,000 sq ft)
- Street setback
- 50 feet minimum
- Alley/lot-line setback
- 20 feet minimum
Summary
Fort Wayne allows residential beekeeping with a sliding scale of two to eight hives based on lot size, plus mandatory setbacks from streets, alleys, and neighboring lots.
Beehives shall be allowed to be kept within the city limits as long as they do not exceed: Two (2) hives for properties that are up to 6,000 square feet; and ... Eight (8) hives for properties that are greater than 25,000 square feet. Hives must not be nearer than 50 feet to any street or 20 feet to any alley or division line between lots or parts of lots of another.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
City code caps backyard apiaries by lot size: two hives on lots up to 6,000 square feet, four hives up to 16,000 square feet, six hives up to 25,000 square feet, and eight hives on larger parcels. Hives must sit at least 50 feet from any street and 20 feet from any alley or the property line shared with a neighboring lot. Keepers must also comply with all state beekeeping laws. Violations are punishable under the general penalty section, § 10.99.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more hives than the lot-size limit allows, or placing them closer than 50 feet to a street or 20 feet to an alley or lot line, violates § 95.02 and is punishable under the general penalty, § 10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beehives can I keep in Fort Wayne?
How far must hives be from my neighbor's property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
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