Beekeeping Laws in Denver, CO: 2026 Guide

At a Glance

Regulatory Factor	Requirement Details	Official Reference
Is urban beekeeping legal?	Yes, as a permitted accessory use.	Zoning Art. 11.8.5
Permit required?	No, not for the standard limit (2 hives).	Municipal Code Ch 8
Hive limits	2 hives per lot.	Art. 11.8.5.2.C
Setback requirements	5 ft from side/rear lines; rear 1/3 of lot.	Art. 11.8.5.2.C
Barrier requirement	6 ft solid fence or hedge (flyway barrier).	Art. 11.8.5.2.C

Is Urban Beekeeping Legal in Denver?

Yes. In 2008, Denver replaced its ban with a permissive ordinance (Ord. No. 621).

Today, the Denver Zoning Code allows “domestic honey bees” as an accessory use in all residential districts. You do not need a special license or permit to keep the standard allowance of bees, nor does the State of Colorado require registration.

Hive Limits and Density

Denver’s rules are stricter on quantity than some other cities:

Standard Limit: 2 Hives per zone lot.
Expansion: Keeping more than 2 hives requires a special Zoning Permit with Special Exception (ZPSE), which involves a public notice process.

Placement and Setbacks

Hives must be located carefully to comply with zoning:

1. Location on Lot

Hives must be located in the rear one-third of the zone lot.
They cannot be in the front or side yards (unless the side yard is part of that rear third).

2. Distances

Property Line Setback: At least 5 feet from any side or rear property line.
Measurement: This is measured from the nearest side of the hive box.

3. Flyway Barrier (Mandatory)

You must install a 6-foot high flyway barrier (fence or dense vegetation) if the hive is within close proximity to neighbors.

The barrier forces bees to fly upward (above head height) as they leave the colony.
Unused equipment must be stored indoors to prevent attracting pests.

Nuisance and Safety

Denver manages bees under general nuisance laws (Chapter 8).

Swarming: Beekeepers must manage colonies to prevent swarming.
Aggression: Aggressive colonies may be deemed a nuisance and ordered removed.
Enforcement: Denver Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) and Animal Protection handle complaints.

Beekeeping Laws by ZIP Code in Denver

Denver’s beekeeping rules apply citywide, meaning the same Zoning Code restrictions cover all Denver ZIP codes. For example, whether you live in LoDo (80202), Capitol Hill (80203), Cherry Creek (80206), Washington Park (80209), Highland (80211), or Stapleton/Central Park (80238), the 2-hive limit and 5-foot setback rules apply.

⚠️ Always confirm with your HOA or property management. While the city allows bees, private covenants in managed communities can legally prohibit them.