Tennessee Statewide Rule
Tennessee Beekeeping: Register Every Apiary Under the Apiary Act
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Tenn. Code Ann. ch. 44-15
- Registration cycle
- Every three years
- New apiary
- Register within 30 days
- Maximum penalty
- $500 civil per violation
- Enforcer
- State apiarist, Dept. of Agriculture
Summary
Tennessee's Apiary Act of 1995 requires every beekeeper who owns one or more colonies to register each apiary location with the state apiarist, then re-register every three years. New locations must be registered within thirty days of establishment.
Every beekeeper owning one (1) or more colonies of bees shall register each apiary location by January 1, 1996, and every three (3) years thereafter. Upon establishment of a new apiary location, it is the duty of the owners or operators of the apiary to register the new locations within thirty (30) days. Any person, firm, or corporation moving bees into the state shall register all apiary locations within thirty (30) days from the date of the establishment of each apiary.
Full Breakdown
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-15-105, register each apiary location with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's state apiarist on the three-year cycle, and any new yard within 30 days. Section 44-15-106 requires movable frames in every hive so inspectors can pull comb; a beekeeper who refuses an order to transfer bees into frame hives can have the bees and hives confiscated. The state apiarist runs a statewide inspection program under § 44-15-107 and issues each registrant a unique identification number.
Violations & Penalties
Section 44-15-114 lets the commissioner assess a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars ($500) per violation through a Uniform Administrative Procedures Act proceeding; operating with unregistered or frameless hives can also lead to confiscation of the bees and equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hobby beekeepers have to register in Tennessee?
What happens if my hives lack movable frames?
Sources
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.