Lake Charles, LA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Article VI of Chapter 4 regulates every apiary in the city limits. Sec. 4-103 requires all honey bee colonies to be registered annually with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and kept in Langstroth-type hives with removable frames. Sec. 4-108 sets a sliding colony cap tied to tract size: two colonies on a quarter acre or less, four colonies up to a half acre, six colonies up to a full acre, and eight colonies on a full acre or larger; the cap disappears entirely if every hive stands at least 200 feet from all property lines, or if the surrounding land within 200 feet stays undeveloped.

Sec. 4-104 requires a flyway barrier at least six feet tall, extending ten feet past the hive in each direction, whenever a colony sits within 25 feet of a property line, so bees are forced to fly above head height near neighbors. Sec. 4-105 requires a standing water source so bees do not congregate at neighbors' pools or pet bowls. Sec. 4-109 requires the beekeeper's name, phone number, and LDAF registration marker posted on a sign at the apiary, unless the beekeeper lives on the same tract.

Sec. 4-107 requires requeening any colony that becomes unusually aggressive or prone to swarming, using gentle European stock. Sec. 4-102 makes it unlawful to keep bees in a manner that creates an unhealthy condition or interferes with neighbors' or the public's use of their property, regardless of compliance with the numeric standards.