Hillsboro, OR Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Hive limit
- 3 hives/colonies per property
- Setback
- 10 ft (15 ft without 6-ft barrier)
- Notice
- Mail neighbors within 300 ft, 2 weeks ahead
- Selling honey
- Not allowed from residence
Summary
Hillsboro homeowners may keep up to 3 hives, set back at least 10 feet from property lines, with mandatory notice to neighbors first.
Bee hives/colonies may only be kept on single-family residential property; No more than 3 bee hives/colonies may be kept; ... All portions of the hives/colonies must either be located a minimum of 10 feet from any property line unless there is no barrier, such as a fence or hedge, that is at least 6 feet in height on all relevant property lines, in which case a minimum of 15 feet applies.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
HMC 6.20.080 lets residents keep up to 3 bee hives or colonies on single-family residential property, placed behind the front building plane and at least 10 feet from any property line (15 feet if there's no 6-foot fence or hedge on that line). Before starting, the keeper must mail written notice to every property owner within 300 feet at least 2 weeks ahead and file a declaration of compliance with the City. Honey may not be sold from the property, and hives must be removed if a documented bee-sting-allergic neighbor within 300 feet requests it in writing.
Violations & Fines
Keeping unregistered or oversized apiaries, skipping the neighbor notification, or refusing removal after a valid medical allergy request violates HMC 6.20.080 and is enforceable as a nuisance under HMC 6.20 and 6.28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell honey from my Hillsboro hives?
Do I need to notify neighbors before keeping bees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsboro
Compare Hillsboro to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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