Florida Statewide Rule
Florida Beekeeping: Register Every Hive with FDACS
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Fla. Stat. 586.045, 586.10
- Enforcing agency
- FDACS apiary program
- Registration
- Mandatory, renewed annually
- Fee cap
- Up to $100 by rule
- Local bans
- Preempted by state
Summary
Florida law requires every beekeeper to register their honeybee colonies with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, obtain inspection certificates, and renew annually. The state fully preempts local hive bans.
The authority to regulate, inspect, and permit managed honeybee colonies and to adopt rules on the placement and location of registered inspected managed honeybee colonies is preempted to the state through the department and supersedes any related ordinance adopted by a county, municipality, or political subdivision thereof.
Full Breakdown
Under Fla. Stat. 586.045, each beekeeper with honeybee colonies in Florida must apply to FDACS for certificates of inspection and registration and renew annually on the anniversary date; late renewals carry a $10 late-filing fee. FDACS inspects colonies for pests and disease before certifying them. Section 586.10 preempts hive regulation to the state: local placement and location rules and colony bans by any county or municipality are superseded. FDACS sets the fee by rule, capped at $100.
Violations & Penalties
Keeping unregistered colonies violates Chapter 586. FDACS may inspect, quarantine, or confiscate diseased or noncompliant hives and equipment under its enforcement powers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hobby beekeepers need to register in Florida?
Can my city ban backyard beehives in Florida?
How often must I renew?
Sources
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