Greenville, NC Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Sec. 12-2-30 defines apiary, bee, beekeeper, hive, and permit terms, then sets the substantive rules. No more than five hives are allowed on a single parcel within the city's land use planning jurisdiction, which extends into the extraterritorial jurisdiction. Every hive must sit at ground level or be securely attached to an anchor or stand, and a securely anchored stand may itself be permanently attached to a roof surface; no hive may be located in a front yard, and all bee equipment and hives must stay in good order and condition.

The Division may order removal of a hive the owner no longer maintains, or whenever removal is necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare. No one may keep bees in the city without first obtaining a beekeeping permit from the Division; the permit must be renewed every year, expires automatically on December 31, and is issued free of charge. Before a permit issues, the Division inspects the beekeeper's equipment and hives annually. Failing to comply with the section results in revocation of the beekeeping permit on top of any civil penalties, while separate zoning-ordinance violations tied to hive placement are enforced by the City's Zoning Enforcement Officers rather than the Division.