Salem, OR Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Max hives
- 5, up to 7 April-August
- 25-ft setback rule
- 6-ft flyaway barrier or 10-ft elevation
- Water source
- within 15 ft. of each hive
- Warning sign size
- 10 in. by 10 in. minimum
- First violation fine
- $250.00, SRC 50.720(e)(1)
- Third violation penalty
- $750.00 plus 10-year keeping ban
Summary
Salem caps residential beekeeping at five hives per property, temporarily seven from April through August for splits and swarms, under SRC 50.720, requires hives to meet zone setbacks and sit in the side or rear yard, and mandates a six-foot flyaway barrier or ten-foot elevation for any hive within 25 feet of a property line.
(c)Standards. Except where the keeping of livestock and other animals is allowed under the UDC, bees kept at any residence, community garden, or on any premises owned by a school or religious organization shall be subject to the following conditions:(1)A maximum of five hives may be kept on a property; provided, however, the maximum number of hives may be temporarily increased to seven only during the months of April through August of each calendar year to accommodate the formation of additional hives through the splitting of existing hives or collection of swarms.(2)Hives shall comply with the setback requirements of the zone in which they are located. Where a main building is located on a property, hives shall be located in the side or rear yard.(3)If a hive is located within 25 feet of a property line, either:(A)A flyaway barrier at least six feet in height shall be maintained parallel to the property line for a minimum of ten feet in either direction of the hive.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
720 defines 'bees' as honey-producing insects of the genus Apis, excluding African honey bees, and a 'hive' as any receptacle prepared for or occupied by bees. 120(d). Where the general standard applies, a property is limited to five hives, though that cap rises temporarily to seven hives from April through August to accommodate splitting existing colonies or hiving a captured swarm. Hives must meet the zone's setback standards and sit in the side or rear yard where a main building exists on the property. If a hive sits within 25 feet of a property line, the keeper must either maintain a flyaway barrier at least six feet high, running at least ten feet in each direction from the hive, or elevate the hive at least ten feet above ground level.
Every hive needs a constant water source within 15 feet, and beekeepers must keep the grounds clear of loose comb or wax to avoid attracting robbing bees or predators. Hives on a community garden or land owned by a school, government agency, or religious organization must be marked with a warning sign at least ten inches by ten inches at the property's main public entrance. 810 notice.
Violations & Fines
Keeping bees out of compliance with SRC 50.720 is an infraction: $250.00 for a first violation, $500.00 for a second, and $750.00 for a third or later violation, with a third violation also barring the keeper from keeping bees in Salem for ten years. Noncompliant hives are also a declared public nuisance the City can abate under SRC 50.800 through 50.880 after notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beehives can I keep at my Salem home?
Do I need a barrier around my hive?
What's the penalty for keeping bees without following the rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salem
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