Lacey, WA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Section 16.21.015 of the Lacey Municipal Code lists beekeeping among the limited animal husbandry activities allowed as an accessory use on residential lots under one acre in the City of Lacey, Thurston County. Beekeeping can include honey bees, mason bees, cutter bees, cavity nesting bees or similar bees used for honey or pollination purposes. Lots over one acre can keep everything permitted on the smaller lots under section 16.21.015(A)(2)(a).

Honey bees carry the strictest conditions. They must be registered with the State Department of Agriculture according to RCW 15.60.021. A maximum of four honey bee hives is permitted as an accessory use to a single-family home. A honey bee hive cannot be located within 25 feet of any lot line, but the distance can be reduced to 10 feet if strategies are employed to require bees to gain elevation before crossing the property line. The code names elevation changes, solid fencing or other techniques that can achieve that objective.

Bees other than honey bees are handled differently. The area housing those varieties must be a minimum of 10 feet from adjacent properties and limited in size appropriate for pollination of the owner's lot. The chapter's stated intent in section 16.21.010 is to prevent nuisances such as noise, pest problems from improper feeding techniques and other issues disruptive to the neighborhood, and the Low Density Residential District refers urban agricultural uses to Chapter 16.21 in section 16.13.020. Commercial sales of honey must meet the FDA food code, Chapter 246-215 WAC, and the home occupation requirements of Chapter 16.69 LMC.