Louisville Metro allows beekeeping under its 2021 Urban Agriculture amendments to the Land Development Code. No specific standalone beekeeping ordinance exists; hives are regulated as part of urban agriculture uses. State regulations under KRS Chapter 252 (bee disease control) apply.
Following 2020–2021 LDC Reform listening sessions, Louisville Metro Council adopted urban agriculture amendments to the Land Development Code, which cover beekeeping as a permitted urban agriculture use. Louisville does not have a standalone ordinance restricting beehive numbers, setbacks, or registrations at the city level beyond general LDC urban agriculture standards. The 2021 ordinance (21-LDC-0003) reduced barriers to urban agriculture, including beekeeping. At the state level, KRS Chapter 252 governs bee disease control and requires Kentucky beekeepers to register with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). Beekeepers should check their specific Form District and zoning designation, as some suburban municipality enclaves within Jefferson County (the 12 cities with independent zoning authority) may have different rules.
Failure to register with KDA (state requirement): KRS Chapter 252 penalties. LDC zoning violations for urban agriculture uses not meeting applicable standards: code enforcement action.
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