New Hampshire Statewide Rule
New Hampshire Beekeeping Registration and Apiary Law
Key Facts
- Registration
- Voluntary and free
- Authority
- Dept of Agriculture
- Rules
- RSA 429; Agr 1800
- Local rules
- Zoning and nuisance may apply
Summary
New Hampshire does not require beekeepers to register their hives. Apiary registration with the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food is voluntary and free. RSA 429 and the Agr 1800 rules cover honeybee disease control, but hobbyist beekeeping is largely unregulated.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep or maintain honey bees in any hives other than modern, moveable, frame hives which permit the thorough examination of every comb in order to detect the presence of bee diseases.
Full Breakdown
New Hampshire does not mandate beekeeper or apiary registration. Registration with the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food is voluntary and free; beekeepers register mainly so they can be notified before nearby pesticide applications and to support disease tracking. RSA 429 and administrative rules Agr 1800 address honeybee disease control, and the state may inspect for and respond to regulated diseases such as American foulbrood. Importation of bees and used equipment is subject to health requirements. Municipalities may apply general zoning and nuisance rules, but there is no statewide registration or licensing requirement for keeping bees.
Violations & Penalties
There is no penalty for not registering, since registration is voluntary. The state may order treatment or destruction of colonies infected with regulated diseases such as American foulbrood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hobby beekeepers need to register in New Hampshire?
Can my town ban backyard beekeeping?
Sources
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.