Ohio Statewide Rule
Ohio Requires Annual Apiary Registration
Key Facts
- Governing law
- ORC 909.02
- Register by
- June 1 annually
- Enforcing agency
- Ohio Dept. of Agriculture
- Registration expires
- May 31
- First-offense penalty
- 4th-degree misdemeanor
Summary
Ohio law makes every beekeeper register each apiary with the Ohio Department of Agriculture by June 1, and every hive must have removable frames so the state apiary inspector can check colonies for disease.
Any person owning or possessing bees shall on or before the first day of June of each year, or thereafter within thirty days after coming into ownership or possession of bees... No person shall maintain an apiary unless the apiary is registered under this section and identifiable by name or identification number assigned to such person by the director.
Full Breakdown
Under ORC 909.02, anyone owning or possessing bees must file a registration application with the Ohio director of agriculture on or before June 1 each year, or within 30 days of acquiring bees or moving bees into Ohio. No apiary may be maintained unless it is registered and identifiable by the name or ID number assigned by the director. Registrations expire the following May 31 and renew under sections 4745.01 to 4745.03. Hives must have readily removable frames so the state apiary program can inspect for American foulbrood and other diseases.
Violations & Penalties
Failing to register an apiary violates ORC 909.02, an offense with no specific penalty stated, so ORC 909.99(B) applies: a fourth-degree misdemeanor on a first offense and a third-degree misdemeanor on each later offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to register with the state?
When is the registration deadline?
What happens if I do not register?
Sources
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