Georgetown, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum property-line setback
- 10 feet for any hive
- Flyway barrier required
- Within 25 feet of property line
- Neighbor-residence setback
- 50 feet minimum
- Colony cap, 1/4 acre lot
- 2 colonies
- Colony cap, 1 acre lot
- 8 colonies
Summary
Georgetown lets residents keep bees but sets hard placement and density limits. Chapter 7.08 bars hives within ten feet of a property line, requires a flyway barrier inside 25 feet, keeps hives 50 feet from a neighbor's home, and caps colonies at two per quarter acre of land.
A.A person may not locate a hive within ten feet of the property line of a tract, as measured from the nearest point of the hive to the property line.B.A person who keeps a bee colony within 25 feet of the property line of a tract, as measured from the nearest point of a hive to the property line, shall establish and maintain a flyway barrier parallel to the property line.C.A hive shall be at least 50 feet from the private residence of another.D.The owner shall provide written notice to the Chief of Police or designee indicating ownership of bees and location of the hive at least 50 feet from the private residence of another.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
08 of the Code of Ordinances regulates backyard apiaries in detail. Sec. 010 requires bees be kept in a Langstroth-type hive with removable frames, kept sound and usable, with a water source provided so bees don't congregate at a neighbor's pool, birdbath, or pet's water bowl, and any removed comb or hive material stored or disposed of in a sealed, bee-proof container. Placement is governed by Sec. 020: no hive may sit within ten feet of a property line, and any hive within 25 feet of a property line must have a flyway barrier running parallel to that line to force bees to fly up and over foot traffic.
Every hive must also be at least 50 feet from another person's private residence, and the beekeeper must give the Chief of Police or a designee written notice of hive ownership and location confirming that 50-foot distance. Sec. 030 requires immediate requeening of any colony that stings or attempts to sting without provocation or shows a swarming disposition, using replacement stock bred for gentleness, and allows one temporary nucleus colony per two authorized colonies, housed in a small hive body, which must be combined or disposed of within 30 days of being acquired.
Sec. 040 caps colony counts by lot size: two colonies on a quarter acre or smaller, four up to a half acre, six up to a full acre, and eight on a full acre or more, though a beekeeper may keep unlimited colonies if every hive sits at least 200 feet from every property line or borders 200 feet of vacant land.
Violations & Fines
Keeping bees in violation of the hive placement, flyway-barrier, requeening, or density rules in Chapter 7.08 is enforced by the Animal Control Unit and punishable under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1.08.010, by a fine of up to $500, or up to $2,000 if treated as a public-health or safety violation, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to my property line can I put a beehive in Georgetown?
How many beehives am I allowed to keep?
What has to happen if my bees become aggressive?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Georgetown
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How other cities in Williamson County handle beekeeping.