Dunedin vs St. Petersburg
How do beekeeping rules compare between Dunedin, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Dunedin and St. Petersburg have similar restriction levels.
Dunedin, FL
Pinellas County
Dunedin cannot prohibit beekeeping. Florida Statute Chapter 586 gives the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services exclusive authority over honey bee colonies, preempting any local ordinance that bans hives on residential property.
View full Dunedin rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
Beekeeping in St. Petersburg is preempted by Florida Statute 586 and FDACS rules, allowing residential hives that follow state Best Management Requirements with FDACS registration.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Dunedin | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Local ban allowed | No, preempted by state | - |
| Registration required | Annual FDACS registration | - |
| Governing statute | Fla. Stat. Chapter 586 | - |
| BMP compliance | Required for all hives | - |
| HOA restrictions | Not preempted | - |
| State preemption | - | FS 586 |
| FDACS registration | - | Required |
| Setback guidance | - | 10-25 feet |
| Local nuisance code | - | Chapter 11 |
| HOA rules | - | Not preempted |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Dunedin FAQ
Can Dunedin stop me from keeping bees?
No. Florida Chapter 586 preempts local bans on registered honey bee colonies. The city can only enforce general nuisance, setback, and property rules, not an outright prohibition.
Do I have to register my hives?
Yes. Every Florida beekeeper, including hobbyists with a single hive, must register annually with FDACS and pay a small fee based on the number of colonies.
How many hives can I have on a small lot?
FDACS Best Management Practices set colony density by lot size: typically up to three colonies on lots under quarter-acre, with more hives permitted as parcel size grows.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Do I need a permit to keep bees in St. Petersburg?
St. Petersburg does not issue a city beekeeping permit, but Florida Statute 586.04 requires you to register every colony with FDACS and follow the state Best Management Requirements.
Can my HOA still ban hives in St. Petersburg?
Yes. Florida's preemption under Chapter 586 applies to local governments only. HOAs and deed-restricted communities can still prohibit beekeeping in their covenants.
Compare other topics
See how Dunedin and St. Petersburg compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool