Lenexa, KS Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Article 3-2-E opens with a finding that the City Council needs minimum standards for keeping bees within the corporate limits (§ 3-2-E-1). Section 3-2-E-2 makes it unlawful to place, establish or maintain any hive, stand, box or apiary, or keep any bees, except in accordance with the Article and the Title 4 zoning restrictions, which the Code cross-references to § 4-1-B-24-F-4.

Permit: under § 3-2-E-3, anyone keeping hives that comply with § 3-2-E-4 needs a City permit valid January 1 through December 31. The fee is set by ordinance or resolution, is due at initial application and each renewal year, and is not prorated.

Hive standards (§ 3-2-E-4): colonies go in Langstroth-type hives with removable frames kept in sound condition, and no hive can exceed five feet in height. No hive, stand or apiary can sit closer than 50 feet to the property line of adjoining developed property, closer than 100 feet to any house or other building on developed property other than the keeper's residence, or closer than 100 feet to the nearest edge of the traveled portion of a public street. Bees on land the keeper does not own or possess require written permission from the owner or person in lawful possession, which can be revoked at any time. No more than two hives can be kept where the location is between 100 and 600 feet from a house or building on developed property. If neighboring land is later developed or homes go up closer than these distances, the keeper must move or remove the hives.

Other duties: a flyway barrier six feet high, made of a solid wall, fence or both, parallel to the property line and extending ten feet beyond the colony in each direction, so bees fly at least six feet above ground over the property lines (§ 3-2-E-6). Fresh, clean water within twenty feet of each hive (§ 3-2-E-7). A sign with the owner's name, address and phone number in letters at least one inch high, when the hive is on premises other than where the owner lives (§ 3-2-E-5).