Spokane County, WA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback from right-of-way
- 25 feet
- Setback from side/rear line
- 5 feet
- Setback from residence
- 50 feet
- Hive number limit
- None (ag/forestry zones)
- State registration
- Required (RCW 15.60)
Summary
Beekeeping is allowed as a primary or accessory use on agricultural and forestry lots in unincorporated Spokane County. Hives must sit 25 feet from any right-of-way and 5 feet from side or rear lines, and 50 feet from an adjacent residence. Beekeepers must register hives with Washington State.
Beehives shall be setback a minimum of twenty-five feet from any public right-of-way, private road, or improved shared access easement. Beehives shall be setback a minimum of five feet from any side or rear property lines and minimum of fifty feet from any adjacent residence.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
Spokane County Zoning Code 14.616.230(8) permits beekeeping as a primary or accessory use on any lot or parcel in the Large Tract Agricultural, Small Tract Agricultural, and Forestry zones, with no limit on the number of beehives, colonies, or nucs. Beehives must be set back at least 25 feet from any public right-of-way, private road, or improved shared-access easement; at least 5 feet from any side or rear property line; and at least 50 feet from any adjacent residence. Where lot size makes the 50-foot residence setback impossible, hives must be centrally located. Beekeeping must comply with Washington State Department of Agriculture requirements under RCW 15.60, which require annual hive registration.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliant hive placement is a zoning code-enforcement matter handled by Spokane County Building and Planning; failure to register hives violates state apiary law RCW 15.60.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hives can I keep?
Do I have to register my bees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
Compare Spokane County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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