Overland Park, KS Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback to adjoining home
- 25 feet from the property line
- Setback to other homes
- 75 feet without written permission
- Setback to public street
- 100 feet from traveled portion
- Hive cap in that band
- 3 hives between 75 and 600 feet
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 6 months jail per day
- Off-site apiary sign
- 1-inch letters with name, address, phone
Summary
Overland Park lets residents keep bees, but Municipal Code 6.14.030 fixes exact placement rules: hives must sit at least 25 feet from an adjoining home's property line, 75 feet from any other residence without written landowner permission, and 100 feet from a public street. Section 6.14.040 caps colonies at three hives inside the 75-to-600-foot band from a neighboring house.
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, establish, or maintain any hive, stand, box, or apiary or keep any bees in or upon any premises within the corporate limits of the City unless the bees are kept in accordance with the provisions of this chapter... No hive, stand, or apiary shall be placed or kept: A. Closer than 25 feet to the property line of adjoining residential property if a house or other building used for residential purposes is located on such property; B. Or closer than 75 feet to any house or other building used for residential purposes other than the residence of the keeper of such bees without first obtaining written permission of such land, which permission may be revoked at any time; C. Or closer than 100 feet to the exterior line of the traveled portion of a public street.
Full Breakdown
020 makes it unlawful to place or maintain any hive, stand, box, or apiary unless it follows the whole chapter. 030 apply on top of each other: 25 feet from the property line of an adjoining residential lot, 75 feet from any other residence unless the landowner gives written permission (revocable anytime), and 100 feet from the traveled portion of a public street; hives also can't sit on land the keeper doesn't own or control without written permission. 050 requires a keeper to move hives that fall out of compliance once nearby land is later developed or a house is built closer than the code allows.
070 requires fresh watering facilities within 25 feet of every hive. 080 exempts bees kept at schools, universities, or a physician's office or laboratory for study, research, or treatment.
Violations & Fines
Violating any setback, hive-count, water-supply, or off-site marking rule under 6.14.030 through 6.14.080 is a public offense under Section 6.14.090, punished under the citywide general penalty at Section 1.12.010: a fine up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both. Each day the hive stays out of compliance is a separate offense, and the keeper must move noncompliant hives once nearby land is developed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from my neighbor's house must I keep a beehive in Overland Park?
How many beehives can I keep on my property?
What happens if new construction goes up near my existing hives?
What's the penalty for an illegal beehive in Overland Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Overland Park
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Johnson County handle beekeeping.