Largo, FL Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal Reference
- Florida Statute 586.10 preempts local hive bans
- Annual Fdacs Registration
- Annual FDACS registration
- Best Management Requirements
- Best Management Requirements is followed
- Setbacks
- Cities cannot impose conflicting setbacks
- Fdacs Inspects Enforces
- FDACS inspects and enforces compliance
Summary
Florida Statute 586.10 preempts local regulation of managed honeybee colonies to the state, so Largo cannot ban or zone backyard beekeeping; residents register hives with the Florida Department of Agriculture and follow state best management practices.
586.10 Powers and duties of department; preemption of local government ordinances. — (1) The authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies and to adopt rules on the placement and location of registered inspected managed honeybee colonies is preempted to the state through the department and supersedes any related ordinance adopted by a county, municipality, or political subdivision thereof. (2) The department shall: (a) Administer and enforce this chapter. (b) Adopt rules necessary to enforce this chapter, rules relating to standard grades for honey and other honeybee products, and, after consultation with local governments and other affected stakeholders, rules to administer this section.
Full Breakdown
Section 586.10(1), Florida Statutes, expressly reserves regulation of registered, inspected managed honeybee colonies to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and supersedes any conflicting county or municipal ordinance. Largo therefore cannot prohibit beekeeping or impose minimum lot sizes, setbacks, or hive caps that conflict with state rules. Beekeepers must register with FDACS annually, follow Best Management Requirements for Maintaining European Honey Bee Colonies, and ensure hives have adequate water, flight barriers, and gentle stock. The state inspection program enforces compliance and may quarantine or destroy colonies that pose public risk.
Violations & Fines
FDACS may issue stop-sale orders, quarantine colonies, or destroy non-compliant hives; unregistered beekeeping is enforced by state inspectors rather than city Code Compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Largo ban backyard beekeeping?
Do I need to register my hives?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Largo
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Largo to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Pinellas County handle beekeeping.