Florida Statute 586.10 preempts beekeeping regulation to the Florida Department of Agriculture, so Tarpon Springs cannot adopt local rules on hive placement; beekeepers must register colonies with FDACS instead.
Under Florida Statute 586.10, the authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies, including rules on placement and location, is expressly preempted to the state through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). That preemption supersedes any related ordinance adopted by a county, municipality, or political subdivision, including Tarpon Springs. Beekeepers within city limits must register their colonies annually with FDACS and follow the state's Best Management Requirements and Practices, which cover hive density, water sources, defensive-behavior management, and inspection access. The city cannot impose stricter setbacks or permit requirements on managed colonies.
Failure to register colonies with FDACS or follow state BMRPs can result in inspection orders, hive treatment requirements, or removal directives.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle beekeeping.
See how Tarpon Springs's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.