Olathe, KS Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Hive setback
- 15 feet from property line
- Flyway barrier
- 6 ft high, required
- Permit needed
- if lot under 3 acres
- Max hives (<3 acres)
- 2
- Max hives (3+ acres)
- No maximum
Summary
Olathe allows backyard beehives with a 15-foot setback and a mandatory 6-foot flyway barrier; lots under 3 acres need a special animal permit and are capped at two hives.
b. Beehives, stand, or apiary is fifteen (15) feet. ... The owner of any hive or apiary will install and maintain a flyway barrier six (6) feet in height consisting of a solid wall, fence, vegetation or combination thereof that is parallel to the property line and that extends ten (10) feet beyond the hive or apiary in each direction so that all bees are forced to fly at an elevation of at least six (6) feet above ground level over property lines in the vicinity of the hive or apiary.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-39, passed July 21, 2026).
Full Breakdown
UDO § 18.50.030 sets a minimum 15-foot yard setback for any beehive, stand, or apiary. Keepers must maintain a 6-foot flyway barrier, a solid wall, fence, or vegetation, running parallel to the property line and extending 10 feet beyond the hive in each direction, forcing bees to fly at least 6 feet above ground level over neighboring property. Fresh water must be kept within 20 feet of the hive. On lots under 3 acres, a special animal permit is required and hives are capped at two; lots of 3 acres or more need no permit and face no maximum.
Violations & Fines
Keeping bees without the required setback, flyway barrier, or (on lots under 3 acres) a special animal permit violates § 18.50.030; enforcement under § 18.70.030 can mean permit denial, a stop-work order, or fines up to $500 per offense, with each day a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must beehives be from my property line in Olathe?
Do I need a permit to keep bees in Olathe?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Olathe
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Johnson County handle beekeeping.