Beekeeping in Maricopa County is regulated by the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA). Arizona is an Africanized Honey Bee (AHB) state, which means stricter regulations apply. Beekeepers must register hives with AZDA. No state preemption prevents counties from restricting beekeeping. The county zoning ordinance may limit hive placement and numbers in residential zones.
Unincorporated Maricopa County permits beekeeping on residential properties without a specific county ordinance restricting hive counts. The Arizona Department of Agriculture regulates bee colonies statewide and requires registration of apiaries. Hives should be positioned away from property lines and oriented so flight paths do not cross neighboring yards, which is especially important in the dense desert subdivisions. Africanized honey bees are prevalent in the Phoenix desert region, and keepers should requeen with European stock regularly. Contact Maricopa County Environmental Services at (602) 506-6616 for nuisance complaints related to bee swarms.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Maricopa County code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Maricopa County, AZ
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Maricopa County, AZ
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Maricopa County, AZ
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Maricopa County, AZ
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Maricopa County, AZ
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Maricopa County, AZ
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See how Maricopa County's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
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