New Jersey Statewide Rule
New Jersey Beekeeping Registration and Inspection Law
Key Facts
- Registration
- Annual for overwintered colonies
- Statute
- N.J.S.A. 4:6-1 et seq.
- Rules
- N.J.A.C. 2:24
- Authority
- State Apiarist, Dept. of Agriculture
Summary
New Jersey requires beekeepers who overwinter colonies to register annually with the Department of Agriculture, and statewide beekeeping rules limit how far towns may restrict compliant hives.
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3 of P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-3), or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, a farm management unit that qualifies as a commercial farm for the purposes of the "Right to Farm Act," P.L.1983, c.31 (C.4:1C-1 et seq.), because it is a beekeeping operation producing honey or other agricultural or horticultural apiary-related products, or providing crop pollination services, worth $10,000 or more annually, shall be entitled to
Full Breakdown
New Jersey regulates apiaries under N.J.S.A. 4:6-1 et seq. and the beekeeping rules at N.J.A.C. 2:24, adopted by the Department of Agriculture. Beekeepers who overwinter honey bee colonies must register annually (by March 1) with the Department's apiary inspection program. The state apiarist inspects hives and may quarantine or destroy diseased colonies, and the rules set standards for colony density, hive placement, and water sources. Municipalities may address documented nuisance conditions but cannot prohibit beekeeping that complies with the statewide rules.
Violations & Penalties
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register a single backyard hive?
Can my town ban beekeeping outright?
Sources
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