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Jefferson County, KY Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

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Verified 1 month ago|Source: Jefferson County Municipal Code →

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Key Facts

Local Code: LDC Urban Agriculture (21-LDC-0003, 2021)
State Registration: Required — Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture (KRS Ch. 252)
Metro Hive Limits: None specified at Metro level
12 Suburban Cities: May have independent rules — check locally
General Policy: Permissive — urban agriculture encouraged

City-specific rules exist: Louisville has its own beekeeping rules that differ from Jefferson County's county-level regulations. If you live in Louisville, check the city-specific page instead.

Summary

Jefferson County (Louisville Metro) permits beekeeping under the 2021 Urban Agriculture LDC amendments (21-LDC-0003). No specific hive count or setback limits are set at the Metro level beyond general LDC urban agriculture standards. State registration with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is required under KRS Chapter 252.

Full Breakdown

Louisville Metro's 2021 LDC Urban Agriculture amendments reduced barriers to beekeeping throughout Jefferson County. Beekeeping is treated as a permitted urban agriculture use under LDC standards applicable to the relevant zoning district and form district. There is no Metro-wide limit on hive numbers or mandatory setbacks specifically for bees. Beekeepers should consult their specific zoning designation for any applicable standards. At the state level, KRS Chapter 252 governs bee disease control and requires beekeepers to register with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). Note: 12 incorporated suburban cities within Jefferson County maintain independent zoning authority and may have different beekeeping rules.

Violations & Fines

State: failure to register with KDA (KRS Ch. 252 penalties). Local: LDC urban agriculture zoning violations if applicable standards are not met.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep bees in my backyard in Jefferson County?

What are the beekeeping regulations in Jefferson County?

Local Code: LDC Urban Agriculture (21-LDC-0003, 2021). State Registration: Required — Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture (KRS Ch. 252). Metro Hive Limits: None specified at Metro level. 12 Suburban Cities: May have independent rules — check locally.

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City-specific rules exist: Louisville has its own beekeeping rules that differ from Jefferson County's county-level regulations. If you live in Louisville, check the city-specific page instead.

Jefferson County, KY Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

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