Collier County, FL Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- County rule
- None - state preempts
- Preemption statute
- F.S. 586.10
- Registration
- Required with FDACS
- Who registers
- Even one-hive hobbyists
- Regulator
- FDACS apiary inspection
Summary
Collier County cannot regulate or ban backyard beekeeping. Under Florida Statute 586.10, authority over managed honeybee colonies is preempted to the state through the Department of Agriculture (FDACS). All beekeepers, including hobbyists with one hive, must register colonies with FDACS.
The authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies and to adopt rules on the placement and location of registered inspected managed honeybee colonies is preempted to the state through the department and supersedes any related ordinance adopted by a county, municipality, or political subdivision thereof.
Full Breakdown
The county sets no beekeeping ordinance here - the state does. F.S. 586.10 preempts the authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, superseding any county or municipal ordinance. Under F.S. ch. 586 and FDACS rules (F.A.C. 5B-54), every beekeeper must register all colonies with FDACS, which inspects for pests, disease, and Africanized bees. Best-management practices on hive placement are set by the state, not Collier County.
Violations & Fines
Failure to register colonies with FDACS violates state apiary law and can lead to inspection orders or destruction of non-compliant colonies. Counties may not fine you for keeping registered hives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Collier County ban my backyard hives?
Do I have to register my hives?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Collier County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Collier County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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