Backyard beekeeping is allowed in Winston-Salem with setbacks. Hives must sit at least 10 feet from property lines, with a 6-foot flyway barrier near neighbors. Annual NC Dept of Agriculture registration required.
Winston-Salem permits beekeeping in residential zones as an accessory use, following best practices promoted by the NC State Beekeepers Association and Forsyth County Beekeepers. Typical local requirements include a minimum 10-foot setback from property lines, a 6-foot flyway barrier (fence or dense hedge) if hives are within 25 feet of a neighbor, constant water source on the beekeeper's property, and a limit of 2 to 4 hives on lots under half an acre with additional hives allowed on larger parcels. Registration with the NC Department of Agriculture Plant Industry Division is required annually. Nuisance complaints are handled by city code enforcement. The Piedmont climate is well suited to beekeeping and Forsyth County has an active beekeeping community.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Winston-Salem, NC
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See how Winston-Salem's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
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