Delaware Statewide Rule
Delaware Requires Annual Statewide Apiary Registration With State
Key Facts
- Statute
- 3 Del. C. Chapter 75
- Registration deadline
- January 30 annually
- Hive type
- Removable frames required
- Quarantine zone
- 3 miles from infection
Summary
Delaware Code Title 3 Chapter 75 requires every beekeeper to annually register all colonies and apiary locations with the Department of Agriculture and authorizes the State Apiarist to inspect and quarantine hives statewide.
All persons keeping bees in the State or moving bees into the State shall annually register any and all of their colonies and apiary locations with the Department on forms supplied by the Department on or before January 30 of each year. If bees are acquired after January 30 of the year, then they shall notify the State Apiarist in writing within 10 days of the time the bees are acquired, of the number and location of colonies.
Full Breakdown
Under 3 Del. C. Chapter 75, beekeepers must register all colonies and apiary locations with the Delaware Department of Agriculture by January 30 each year, or within 10 days of acquiring bees. The State Apiarist may examine hives, enforce disease and mite controls, and impose three-mile quarantine zones around infected apiaries. Hives must use removable frames so combs can be inspected without damage. Bees and used equipment imported into Delaware require an entry permit and certificate of inspection from the origin state. Local zoning may impose setback or density rules, but the registration and disease-control framework is uniform statewide.
Violations & Penalties
Civil penalties of $100 to $1,000 per violation following administrative hearing; quarantine and destruction orders for diseased colonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register a backyard hive in Delaware?
Can my town ban beekeeping?
Sources
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.