New Jersey Beekeeping Registration and Inspection Law

Under N.J.S.A. 4:7-41 through 4:7-58, every person owning or maintaining honey bee colonies must register with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. The Department adopted statewide Beekeeping Rules at N.J.A.C. 2:24, establishing colony density, hive placement, and water source standards that apply uniformly statewide. The state apiarist conducts inspections and may quarantine or destroy diseased colonies. Local governments may regulate nuisance issues but cannot prohibit beekeeping that complies with state rules.

Failure to register colonies or comply with inspection orders may result in fines up to $1,000 per violation and destruction of non-compliant hives.