Oro Valley, AZ Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Beekeeping in Oro Valley is governed primarily by Arizona state law under ARS Title 3, Chapter 4 (Bee Management) and rules administered by the Arizona Department of Agriculture. All beekeepers must register their apiaries with the ADA. Arizona bee law requires that managed colonies be maintained in movable-frame hives to allow inspection. Colony density restrictions may apply based on lot size and proximity to neighboring structures; the ADA recommends maintaining hives at least 20 feet from property lines. Flyway barriers (6-foot fences or hedges) directing bees upward are recommended when hives are within 25 feet of neighboring properties. Southern Arizona has a significant population of Africanized honey bees (AHB), and the ADA actively monitors and responds to aggressive colony reports. Beekeepers in Oro Valley should requeen regularly with European stock to reduce Africanization risk. The ADA Apiary Inspection program may inspect registered hives. Swarm removal services are coordinated through the ADA and local beekeeping associations. Water sources must be provided on the property to prevent bees from congregating at neighboring pools, fountains, or irrigation lines, a common complaint in desert communities where water sources are limited. HOAs may restrict or prohibit beekeeping under their CC&Rs.