Live Oak, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- TX Agriculture Code Ch 131
- Setback typical
- 10-25 feet from property line
- Flyway barrier
- 6-foot fence or hedge
- Water source
- Required on keeper property
- Registration
- TAIS if 8+ hives
Summary
Beekeeping in Live Oak is governed by Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 and local nuisance rules, with small-scale hives generally permitted on residential lots that can maintain proper setbacks.
Sec. 131.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: ... (2) 'Apiary' means a place where colonies of bees or nuclei of bees are kept. (3) 'Beekeeper' means a person who owns, leases, possesses, controls, or manages one or more colonies of bees for any personal or commercial purpose. (4) 'Bee' means any stage of the common honeybee, Apis mellifera species. (5) 'Colony' means a distinguishable localized population of bees in which one or more life stages may be present. ... (8-a) 'Hive' means a box or other shelter containing a colony of bees. ... (12) 'Nucleus' means a small mass of bees and combs of brood used in forming a new colony.
Full Breakdown
Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 governs apiary registration and bee movement statewide, and cities cannot prohibit beekeeping where lots are large enough for safe practice. Live Oak typically allows residential beekeeping with reasonable limits: hives set back from property lines (commonly 10 to 25 feet), flyway barriers (6-foot fence or hedge) when near neighbors, and a water source on the keeper property. Beekeepers with more than 8 hives may need to register with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service. Aggressive or swarming hives can be cited as nuisance. Given Live Oak small lot sizes in some subdivisions, verify setbacks with city hall at (210) 653-9140 before installing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for backyard bees?
What if a neighbor is allergic?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Live Oak
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Live Oak to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bexar County handle beekeeping.