Delaware Beekeeping Law: Statewide Animal Ordinances Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: 3 Del. C. Chapter 75
Registration deadline: January 30 annually
Hive type: Removable frames required
Quarantine zone: 3 miles from infection

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?

Yes. Every beekeeper, regardless of colony count, must register annually with the Delaware Department of Agriculture by January 30 or within 10 days of acquiring bees. Registration supports statewide disease tracking.

Can my town ban beekeeping?

Local zoning may regulate hive placement, setbacks, and density, but the state registration and inspection regime applies regardless. Outright bans risk conflict with the agricultural framework set by Chapter 75.

Delaware Requires Annual Statewide Apiary Registration With State