San Antonio, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 131 establishes the Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) at Texas A&M, requires registration of beekeepers with more than 6 colonies or who transport hives, and mandates inspection for certain interstate movements. Importantly, Ag Code 131.044 exempts beekeeping from municipal nuisance regulations when conducted according to TAIS best management practices, and TX Tax Code 23.51 grants ag-use valuation for qualifying apiaries with 6 to 12 colonies on 5 to 20 acres. In unincorporated Bexar County, beekeeping is unrestricted beyond Chapter 131. The City of San Antonio allows beekeeping under Chapter 5 with typical limits of 2 hives on lots under 1/4 acre, 4 hives on 1/4 to 1/2 acre, and more on larger lots, with a flyway barrier requirement of 6 feet where the hive is within 25 feet of a property line. Africanized honeybee (AHB) presence across south Texas means keepers should re-queen aggressive colonies promptly; state law treats feral AHB swarms the same as domestic bees. Neighbor allergies do not override Chapter 131 preemption, but keepers are liable for common-law nuisance if hives are sited unsafely. Bexar County falls within TAIS Region 7 for inspection support.