Washington County, AR Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration
- State Plant Board required
- Deadline
- Within 10 days
- State Law
- Ark. Code 2-22-110
- Cities
- Add hive limits, setbacks
Summary
Beekeeping is allowed across Washington County. Under the Arkansas Apiary Act, Ark. Code 2-22-110, beekeepers must register their colonies with the State Plant Board; cities add hive limits and setbacks.
A person owning, leasing, or possessing bees within ten (10) days after coming into ownership or possession of bees or before moving bees from outside the State of Arkansas, shall file with the State Plant Board an application for registration.
Full Breakdown
Hobby and commercial beekeeping are welcome across the Ozark landscape of Washington County. State law is the main obligation: the Arkansas Apiary Act, Ark. Code 2-22-101 et seq., requires anyone owning or possessing bees to register with the Arkansas State Plant Board, now within the Department of Agriculture, within ten days, listing each apiary's location and colony count. Cities layer on residential rules such as hive-number caps, property-line setbacks, flyway barriers, and a water source to keep bees from bothering neighbors. Rural county parcels have far more room and flexibility.
Violations & Fines
Keeping unregistered bees violates the state Apiary Act and can bring state enforcement; city violations over hive numbers or setbacks draw local fines and orders to relocate colonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register my beehives in Arkansas?
Can I keep bees in the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
Compare Washington County to another location·View the Arkansas animal ordinances overview
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