Franklin County, OH Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Max colonies
- 2–6 by lot size
- Setback
- 10 feet from property line
- Flyway fence
- Required within 25 feet
- Registration
- Ohio Dept. of Agriculture required
- Coverage
- Unincorporated county lots only
Summary
Franklin County zoning caps backyard honeybee colonies by lot size, two on a quarter acre or less, up to six on more than half an acre, and requires flyway fencing and state apiary registration.
Allowed densities – It shall be unlawful to keep more than the following number of colonies on any tract of land, based upon the size or configuration of the tract on which the apiary is situated:
one quarter acre or less – two (2) colonies
more than one-quarter acre but less than one-half acre – four(4) colonies
more than one-half acre – six (6) colonies
b) Yards and Location on Lot – Any structure used for apiculture shall comply with the following yard and setback requirements:
Be located in a side or rear yard
Be located at least 10 feet from any property line, subject to the requirements of subsection (e) below
In the absence of a principal structure must be located behind the building line as defined SECTION 504 – BUILDING LINES ALONG PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
If the total area of structures used for apiculture does not exceed 65 square feet, the structures are not considered accessory buildings. Otherwise, all structures used for apiculture are accessory buildings and must comply with SECTION 512 – ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
c) Hive Registration – All honey bee colonies shall be registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Operators (beekeepers) granted a certificate of zoning compliance to operate an apiary must maintain a valid annual apiary registration. Beekeepers must comply with the Ohio Apiary Law.
d) Hive Type – All honey bee colonies shall be kept in Langstroth-type hives with removable frames, which shall be kept in sound and usable condition.
Full Breakdown
Section 115.046 of the Zoning Resolution limits apiaries to two colonies on tracts of a quarter acre or less, four colonies between a quarter and half acre, and six colonies above half an acre. Hives must sit in a side or rear yard at least 10 feet from any property line, use removable-frame Langstroth-type hives, and any colony within 25 feet of a property line requires a flyway barrier under Section 521.020(1). A certificate of zoning compliance and current Ohio Department of Agriculture apiary registration are required before keeping bees.
Violations & Fines
Keeping bees without a zoning certificate, exceeding the colony cap for the lot size, or skipping required flyway fencing violates Section 115.04; enforcement runs through the county's zoning compliance process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beehives can I keep on a half-acre lot?
Do I need a permit to keep bees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
Compare Franklin County to another location·View the Ohio animal ordinances overview
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