Beekeeping: Grand Rapids vs Kentwood

Can I keep bees in Grand Rapids?

Yes. Beekeeping is permitted on residential properties with proper colony management. Provide a water source and use flyway barriers to direct bees away from neighbors.

Do I need to register my hive in Grand Rapids?

Registration with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is available and recommended. MDARD provides inspection services and guidance for beekeepers.

How can I keep my Grand Rapids bees from bothering neighbors?

Position hives so flight paths go up and over neighboring properties, use flyway barriers, provide on-site water, and manage colonies to prevent swarms and aggressive behavior.

Do I need to register my beehives with Kent County or the state of Michigan?

No. Michigan repealed mandatory beekeeper registration in 1993, and Kent County has no separate beekeeping registry. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) maintains the voluntary BeeCheck program, which lets you put your hives on a map that pesticide applicators check before spraying nearby fields, but enrollment is not required by law.

Can my township ban beekeeping in Kent County?

It depends on your township's population and whether you sell honey. Under the Michigan Right to Farm Act (MCL 286.473), local ordinances cannot prohibit commercial beekeeping operations that follow the Care of Farm Animals GAAMPs in municipalities with under 100,000 residents. That covers nearly all Kent County townships and smaller cities like Kentwood, Wyoming, Rockford, Lowell, and Cedar Springs. The City of Grand Rapids (population ~199,000) is over the threshold, so Right to Farm preemption does not apply there and the city can — and does — regulate beekeeping by zoning.

How many hives can I keep on my property in Kent County?

There is no state-imposed hard limit, but the Michigan "Care of Farm Animals" GAAMPs recommend a maximum of six full-size colonies on lots smaller than one acre. Exceeding that limit can jeopardize your Right to Farm Act protection. Your township or city zoning ordinance may set a stricter limit, so always check with your local zoning office.

What should I do if a swarm of bees lands on my property in Kent County?

Do not attempt to remove or destroy the swarm yourself. Contact a local beekeeper through the Kent County Beekeepers Association or the West Michigan Beekeepers Association — most will collect a swarm for free because it is a valuable resource. Many municipal animal control departments in Kent County will also refer swarm calls to local beekeepers rather than exterminators.