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Paulding County, GA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

County Permit
None required
Local Bans
Barred by state law
Statute
O.C.G.A. 2-14-41.1
Hobbyist Registration
Not required

Summary

Beekeeping is legal across Paulding County and no county permit exists. Georgia law, O.C.G.A. Section 2-14-41.1, bars any county from prohibiting honeybee hives, though it preserves zoning setback authority. Hobbyists need not register with the state.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Paulding County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

No county, municipal corporation, consolidated government, or other political subdivision of this state shall adopt or continue in effect any ordinance, rule, regulation, or resolution prohibiting, impeding, or restricting the establishment or maintenance of honeybees in hives.

Source: Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.)View official code

Full Breakdown

Keeping honeybees is lawful throughout Paulding County, and the county animal ordinance does not even classify bees as regulated animals. State law is protective: O.C.G.A. Section 2-14-41.1 forbids any Georgia county or city from adopting a rule that prohibits, impedes, or restricts keeping honeybees in hives, while expressly preserving local zoning authority. That means Paulding can apply reasonable placement or setback standards through zoning but cannot ban beekeeping outright. Hobbyist beekeepers are not required to register or be licensed under Georgia law; only producers selling queen or package bees must be licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Good practice is a nearby water source and hives set back from property lines.

Violations & Fines

The county imposes no beekeeping penalty and cannot ban hives. A hive that becomes a genuine nuisance can be addressed under private nuisance law, and any zoning setback standard the county adopts must still leave beekeeping possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to keep bees in Paulding County?
No. There is no county beekeeping permit, and Georgia's O.C.G.A. Section 2-14-41.1 bars the county from prohibiting hives. Hobbyists need not register with the state.
Can the county ban my hives?
No. State law forbids any Georgia county from prohibiting honeybees, though it may set reasonable zoning setbacks. An outright ban is not permitted.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Paulding County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSignificant RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsFew RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsFire Regulations: Outdoor BurningSignificant Restrictions

All Paulding County rules

Compare Paulding County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview

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