South Jordan, UT Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum lot size
- 1/4 acre
- Colonies on 1/4-1/2 acre
- 2 colonies
- Setback from property line
- 25 ft (or 10 ft screened)
- School buffer
- 500 ft
- State registration
- Utah Dept. of Agriculture
Summary
South Jordan allows honeybee hives as an accessory use on residential lots of at least a quarter acre, caps colonies by lot size, and sets 25-foot setbacks from property lines.
Honeybees may be kept as an accessory use on residential lots that are a minimum of one-fourth (1/4) acre in area. The number of honeybee colonies allowed on lots is as follows:
Lot Size Number Of Colonies 1/4 acre to 1/2 acre 2 1/ 2 acre to 1 acre 4 Over 1 acre 1 additional colony for each additional 1/2 acre increment
Honeybee colonies shall be kept in hives with removable frames which shall be kept in sound and usable condition. Each person keeping bees is required to register and obtain a license from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Other regulations (State and Federal), such as those found in chapter 11, title 4 of the Utah State Code, are to be followed as well.
Location: Hives may not be located in the front or the street side yard of any property. Hives shall be located at least twenty five feet (25') from any adjoining property line or public street if not shielded by a "flyway barrier". If shielded the required setback shall be ten feet (10') from all property lines or public street. Hives shall be properly shielded from any adjacent night lighting on adjoining properties. The shielding shall be the bee owner's responsibility as to prevent bees from being attracted to neighboring properties and to prevent creation of nuisance conditions for the neighboring property owners.
Full Breakdown
Under the Farm Animal Floating Zone's beekeeping standards, South Jordan permits honeybee colonies on residential lots of at least one-quarter acre: two colonies on a quarter- to half-acre lot, four on a half- to one-acre lot, and one extra colony for each additional half acre beyond that. Hives can't sit in a front or street-side yard, must be at least 25 feet from any property line or public street (or just 10 feet if screened by a six-foot "flyway barrier"), and must stay 500 feet from any school. Hives are capped at 7 feet tall, and keepers must register with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Violations & Fines
The City can order hives removed as a nuisance under Title 8, Chapter 8.24, or for violating the required setbacks, flyway barrier, height limit, or state apiary registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to my neighbor's yard can a beehive be in South Jordan?
Do South Jordan beekeepers need a state license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Jordan
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