Lexington, KY Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Kentucky Revised Statutes 249.090 and related provisions establish statewide regulation of honeybees through the Kentucky State Apiarist within the Department of Agriculture. Beekeepers must register their apiaries annually with the state, and the state conducts inspections to prevent disease such as American Foulbrood. Under Kentucky law, local governments may regulate placement of hives but cannot outright ban beekeeping. In Lexington, residential beekeeping is permitted in all zones. Recommended best practices followed by the Bluegrass Beekeepers Association include locating hives at least 10 feet from property lines, providing a water source on the beekeeper's property, and using 6-foot fences or flyway barriers when hives are close to neighboring property so bees fly upward. In the Agricultural Rural zone and throughout Fayette County's horse-farm countryside, larger commercial apiaries are common and often support pollination for alfalfa and clover pastures. Beekeepers must also follow any HOA or deed restrictions in master-planned neighborhoods.