Beekeeping legal in Queens since 2010. NYC Health Code 161.01 requires registration with DOHMH. Only Apis mellifera permitted. Hives must be maintained to prevent swarms.
Beekeeping is legal in Queens County under NYC Health Code Article 161, amended in 2010 to remove honeybees from the prohibited animals list. Only the western honeybee (Apis mellifera) is permitted; Africanized bees and other species remain prohibited. Beekeepers must register annually with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), providing name, address, number of hives, and contact info. Registration is free. Hives must be maintained to prevent swarming, managed to avoid nuisance to neighbors, and equipped with a water source so bees do not congregate at neighbor pools or taps. While no specific setback is mandated citywide, best practice is 10+ feet from property lines with flyways directed up or across shared fences. Queens neighborhoods with active beekeepers include Astoria, Long Island City, Forest Hills, and Kew Gardens rooftops and yards. DOHMH may inspect and order removal of neglected hives. Fines for unregistered beekeeping or nuisance hives range from 200 to 2,000 dollars. The NYC Beekeepers Association offers mentorship.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Queens County, NY
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