Temple, TX Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Temple's animal ordinance treats beehives like other backyard livestock: Sec. 6-54(e) bars maintaining beehives in any pen, yard, enclosure, barn, building, or structure located less than 300 feet from another person's residence, a much wider buffer than the 150-foot livestock setback or the 50-foot exception for hens. Beekeepers must also provide the colony a water source under Sec. 6-54(e)(1), so bees don't congregate at water meant for people, birds, or pets. The narrow exceptions in Sec. 6-54(f) (research animals, permitted circuses/zoos, injured-animal temporary care, farm-supply retailers) can lift the setback in limited cases.