Winston-Salem, NC Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed
- Yes in residential zones
- Setback
- 10 feet from property lines
- Flyway Barrier
- 6 ft if within 25 ft of neighbor
- Hive Limit
- 2 to 4 on small lots
- Registration
- NC Dept of Agriculture
Summary
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.
to protect the bee and honey industry in North Carolina from bee diseases and disorders and to provide regulatory services in the areas of pollination of plants, honeybee poisonings, thefts, bee management and marketing. (1977, c. 238, s. 1.) § 106-635. Definitions. As used in this Article: (1) The term "apiary" means bees, comb, hives, appliances, or colonies, wherever they are kept, located, or found. (2) The term "bee(s)" means insects of the superfamily Apoidea; in particular, the honeybees, Apis mellifera (L). It includes all life stages of such insects, their genetic material, and dead remains. (3) The term "beeyard" means a location or site where bees are located in hives. (4) The term "Board" means the North Carolina Board of Agriculture.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hives can I keep on a quarter-acre lot?
Do I need to register my hives?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
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