Beekeeping is lawful and popular across Whatcom County's farm country, supporting berry and orchard pollination. Washington requires anyone owning one or more hives to register with the state Department of Agriculture by April 1 each year under RCW 15.60.021.
Keeping honey bees is legal throughout Whatcom County and a natural fit for its berry fields and orchards, which depend on pollination. The binding statewide rule is registration: RCW 15.60.021 requires every person owning one or more hives to register with the Washington State Department of Agriculture by April 1 each year and obtain an apiarist identification number. The state, not the county, inspects colonies for disease. In Bellingham and other cities, zoning and nuisance rules may add hive setbacks from property lines and require a water source and flyway barriers. Qualifying commercial apiaries also gain Right to Farm protection.
Failing to register hives with the state Department of Agriculture violates RCW 15.60.021. Cities can enforce zoning setbacks and abate hives that create a documented nuisance.
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Whatcom County, WA
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