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Polk County, FL Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Local rules
Preempted by state
Governing statute
FS 586.10
Regulator
FDACS apiary program
Registration
Required, free
HOA covenants
May still restrict hives

Summary

Polk County cannot ban or set setbacks for registered honeybee colonies. Florida Statute 586.10 preempts all beekeeping regulation to the state Department of Agriculture (FDACS). Beekeepers must register colonies with FDACS and follow FDACS best-management practices.

City-specific rules exist: Winter Haven, and Lakeland have their own beekeeping rules that differ from Polk County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

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.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Florida centralizes beekeeping regulation. FS 586.10 preempts the authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies - and to set their placement and location - to the state through FDACS, superseding any county or city ordinance. Polk County therefore cannot prohibit beekeeping or impose its own hive-setback rules on registered, inspected colonies. Beekeepers must register every colony with the FDACS apiary program (free) and comply with FDACS best-management-practice requirements, which govern hive density and placement by lot size. Private HOA covenants may still restrict hives because they operate under contract law rather than as government ordinances.

Violations & Fines

Enforced by FDACS, not the county. Keeping unregistered colonies or ignoring FDACS BMPs can lead to state inspection orders and colony removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Polk County stop me from keeping bees?
No. FS 586.10 preempts beekeeping regulation to the state. Register your colonies with FDACS and follow their best-management practices, which set placement by lot size.
Do I need a county permit for hives?
No county permit exists. You register colonies with FDACS. HOA rules may still limit or prohibit hives on your lot.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Polk County

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All Polk County rules

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Beekeeping in Cities Across Polk County

Lakeland, FLWinter Haven, FL