Pennsylvania Bee Law Registration Requirement Statewide

The Pennsylvania Bee Law (3 Pa.C.S. Sec. 2102 et seq.) requires every person who owns or possesses honeybees to register each apiary annually with the PA Department of Agriculture. The registration fee is $10. The law authorizes state apiary inspectors to inspect colonies for diseases including American foulbrood and treats beekeeping as agriculture. While municipalities may set zoning rules for hive placement, the state registration requirement applies universally and disease quarantine authority rests with the state.

Failure to register is a summary offense punishable by fines up to $300. Refusing inspection or violating quarantines may result in colony destruction and additional penalties.