Beekeeping is permitted in Philadelphia County under Philadelphia Code §10-108 with hive registration. PA Bee Law 3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 requires registration with PA Department of Agriculture within 10 days of acquiring bees.
Philadelphia permits beekeeping residentially with setback requirements: hives must be 10 feet from property lines and have flyway barriers (6-ft fence or hedge) within 25 feet of hive openings. PA Bee Law requires annual registration and inspection. Hive density limits apply based on lot size. Contact Philadelphia at (215) 686-1776 for enforcement.
Unregistered hives: up to $300 state fine plus local code violations. Nuisance complaints can force hive removal.
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Philadelphia, PA
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