Fort Worth, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Reference
- Fort Worth Code Ch. 6
- Flyway Barrier Trigger
- Hive within 25 ft of property line
- Barrier Height
- 6 ft solid wall, fence, or hedge
- State Registration
- Texas Apiary Inspection Service
Summary
Fort Worth allows beekeeping on residential property under Chapter 6 of the Code. If hive entrances are perpendicular to and within 25 feet of a property line, the keeper must install a solid 6-foot-tall wall, fence, or hedge between the hives and the property line as a flyway barrier.
Sec. 131.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: ... (2) "Apiary" means a place where colonies of bees or nuclei of bees are kept. (3) "Beekeeper" means a person who owns, leases, possesses, controls, or manages one or more colonies of bees for any personal or commercial purpose. (4) "Bee" means any stage of the common honeybee, Apis mellifera species. (5) "Colony" means a distinguishable localized population of bees in which one or more life stages may be present. ... (8-a) "Hive" means a box or other shelter containing a colony of bees.
Full Breakdown
Beekeeping in Fort Worth is regulated under the Animals and Fowl chapter (Code Ch. 6) and the state's general apiary rules administered by the Texas Apiary Inspection Service. The key local requirement is a flyway barrier: if hive entrances are perpendicular to and within 25 feet of any property line, the beekeeper must erect a solid wall, fence, or hedge at least 6 feet tall between the hives and the property line so that bees fly upward before crossing into a neighbor's yard. Apiaries that produce honey for sale are also subject to state registration with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service.
Violations & Fines
Beekeeping that creates a nuisance or fails the flyway-barrier rule is enforced by Animal Care and Control under Chapter 6 as a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500. Repeat offenses may lead to abatement orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is beekeeping allowed in Fort Worth?
Do I need to register my Fort Worth hives?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Worth
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle beekeeping.