Richardson, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- Hives must be 10 ft from property lines, 25 ft from sidewalks
- Requirement
- Flyway barrier (6 ft tall) required within 25 ft of property line
- Requirement
- Water source must be provided on the beekeeper's property
- Note
- Colony limits scale with lot size (typically 2-4 per 1/4 acre)
- Note
- TX Ag Code Ch. 131 requires state registration at 6+ colonies
Summary
Richardson permits residential beekeeping subject to hive setbacks, colony limits based on lot size, and registration under Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 for beekeepers with six or more colonies.
Sec. 131.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) "Abandoned apiary, equipment, or bees" means an apiary, equipment, or a colony of bees that is not regularly maintained or attended in accordance with this chapter or rules or quarantines adopted under this chapter.(2) "Apiary" means a place where colonies of bees or nuclei of bees are kept.(3) "Beekeeper" means a person who owns, leases, possesses, controls, or manages one or more colonies of bees for any personal or commercial purpose.(4) "Bee" means any stage of the common honeybee, Apis mellifera species.(5) "Colony" means a distinguishable localized population of bees in which one or more life stages may be present.(6) "Director" means the director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research.(7) "Disease" means American foulbrood, European fo
Full Breakdown
The City of Richardson Code of Ordinances allows beekeeping on private property with restrictions designed to protect neighbors. Typical requirements include hive placement at least 10 feet from any property line and 25 feet from a public sidewalk or street, with a flyway barrier (fence, hedge, or structure at least 6 feet tall) if the hive is within 25 feet of a property line. A source of water must be provided on the beekeeper's property to discourage bees from seeking water at pools and fountains next door. Colony density is generally capped at 2-4 hives per quarter acre depending on lot size. Under Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131, any beekeeper with six or more colonies must register with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service. Africanized honey bee removal is handled by licensed pest-control operators; swarms on public property can be reported to Richardson Animal Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep bees in my Richardson backyard?
Do I need to register my hives with Texas?
What if I find a wild swarm on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richardson
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How other cities in Dallas County handle beekeeping.