Fort Bend County follows Texas state law allowing beekeeping as a qualifying agricultural use on tracts of 5 to 20 acres, granting agricultural valuation for property tax purposes when minimum colony counts are maintained.
Fort Bend County Appraisal District accepts beekeeping as an agricultural use under Texas Tax Code Section 23.51, requiring 6 colonies minimum on 5 acres, with one additional colony per 2.5 additional acres up to 12 colonies on 20 acres. Beekeepers must maintain hives for at least 5 of 7 prior years to qualify. While the county itself does not impose a bee-specific ordinance, county appraisal practices and unincorporated zoning treat beekeeping as a permitted agricultural activity rather than a regulated nuisance.
Misrepresenting beekeeping use for ag valuation can result in rollback taxes covering up to 5 years plus interest and penalties.
See how Stafford's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
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