Broward County, FL Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- State Preemption
- FL 586.10
- Registration Authority
- FDACS (annual, free)
- Flight Path Barrier
- 6 ft if hive within 15 ft of line
- Water Source
- Required on beekeeper's property
- Africanized Risk
- Requeening recommended
Summary
Beekeeping is protected by FL 586.10, which preempts local bans. Broward County cannot prohibit beekeeping. Hives must be registered annually with FDACS and follow best management practices.
586.10 Powers and duties of department; preemption of local government ordinances. — (1) The authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies and to adopt rules on the placement and location of registered inspected managed honeybee colonies is preempted to the state through the department and supersedes any related ordinance adopted by a county, municipality, or political subdivision thereof.
(2) The department shall: (a) Administer and enforce this chapter.
(b) Adopt rules necessary to enforce this chapter, rules relating to standard grades for honey and other honeybee products, and, after consultation with local governments and other affected stakeholders, rules to administer this section.
Full Breakdown
10 (the Beekeeping Preemption law) prohibits any county or municipality from adopting or enforcing ordinances that prohibit, restrict, or regulate beekeeping when the hives are registered in compliance with Chapter 586 and maintained per FDACS best management practices. Broward County therefore cannot ban backyard hives. Hive registration is free and annual through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services apiary inspection program. FDACS Best Management Practices require an adequate water source on the beekeeper's property (to prevent foraging in neighbors' pools), a 6-foot flight path barrier (fence or hedge) when hives are within 15 feet of a property line, and appropriate requeening to manage Africanized honeybee hybridization, which is prevalent in South Florida.
10 does not reach private covenants. Urban Broward beekeepers commonly use Langstroth or top-bar hives and register with Broward County Beekeepers Association for mentorship. Wild feral hives and Africanized colonies are removed by licensed pest control operators under FDACS authority.
Violations & Fines
No local enforcement: state preempts. FDACS enforces hive registration and BMP compliance. Unregistered hives may be ordered destroyed by the state apiarist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Broward County ban backyard beekeeping?
Do I need to register my hives?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida animal ordinances overview
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