Houston, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- City Ban
- None
- State Agency
- TAIS (Texas A&M)
- State Law
- Agriculture Code Ch. 131
- Registration
- Recommended with TAIS
- HOAs
- May restrict beekeeping
Summary
Houston has no city-specific beekeeping ban. The Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) regulates bees at the state level under Agriculture Code Chapter 131. Deed restrictions and HOAs may impose local limits.
Sec. 131.045. BEEKEEPER REGISTRATION. (a) Each beekeeper in this state may register on an annual basis with the chief apiary inspector. A registration under this section expires August 31 following the date the registration is issued. (b) A registration must include: (1) information required by the chief apiary inspector; and (2) the county or counties in which the beekeeper operates. (c) The inspector may require a beekeeper to submit with the registration information a map showing the exact location of each of the beekeeper's apiaries. A map submitted under this section is a trade secret under Chapter 552, Government Code, and may not be disclosed. (d) The chief apiary inspector may charge a fee for each registration issued under this section.
Full Breakdown
Houston does not have a city-specific ordinance banning or extensively regulating residential beekeeping. The Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS), part of Texas A&M AgriLife, is the state agency that regulates bees under Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131. TAIS monitors for Africanized honey bees and bee diseases. Beekeepers should register hives with TAIS. There are no state-level restrictions on the number of hives. Deed restrictions and HOA rules in many Houston neighborhoods may prohibit or limit beekeeping. General nuisance ordinances under Chapter 6 may apply if hives create a disturbance. Best practices include maintaining hives away from property lines and providing a water source to prevent bees from visiting neighbors' pools or properties.
Violations & Fines
No specific city penalties for beekeeping. General nuisance violations may apply if bees create a public disturbance. TAIS may order hive removal for Africanized bee colonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep bees in Houston?
How many hives can I have?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle beekeeping.