Summit County, OH Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- State registration
- Required annually (ORC 909.02)
- Registered with
- Ohio Dept. of Agriculture
- Deadline
- June 1 each year
- New apiary
- Register within 10 days
- Local limits
- Set by city/township zoning
Summary
Ohio requires every beekeeper to register their apiary annually with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ORC 909.02). Summit County sets no separate hive rule; local coop-style limits or setbacks come from your city or township zoning.
All apiaries in the state of Ohio must be registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture as required by ORC 909.02.
Full Breakdown
Under ORC 909.02, all apiaries in Ohio must be registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture; registration is due by June 1 each year and new apiaries must register within 10 days of receiving bees. The fee is modest ($5-$10) and enables state disease inspection. Summit County itself does not license hives. Whether you can keep bees on a residential lot, and any hive-count or setback limits, is governed by your city, village, or township zoning code. Some Summit County municipalities allow beekeeping outright while others cap hives or require flyway barriers, so confirm locally before installing colonies.
Violations & Fines
Failure to register an apiary violates ORC Chapter 909 and may result in fines and state enforcement by the Department of Agriculture; local zoning breaches are cited by the municipality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to register my beehives in Ohio?
Can I keep bees anywhere in Summit County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Summit County
Compare Summit County to another location·View the Ohio animal ordinances overview
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