Florida Beekeeping Laws: Registration & Preemption

Florida places regulation, inspection, permitting, and placement rules for registered and inspected managed honeybee colonies primarily at the state level. Florida Statute § 586.10 preempts related local ordinances, but that protection should not be read as permission to ignore FDACS requirements, private property agreements, safety obligations, or nuisance conditions.

Registration and inspection

FDACS states that every beekeeper with honeybee colonies in Florida must register. A new applicant creates a portal request or contacts a local apiary inspector; an inspection completes the registration process. Certificates renew annually on or before their anniversary date.

Current annual registration fees listed by FDACS are:

• 1–5 colonies: $10;
• 6–40 colonies: $20;
• 41–200 colonies: $40;
• 201–500 colonies: $70; and
• 501 or more colonies: $100.

Check the FDACS page immediately before paying because fees and procedures can change.

Hive and residential-site requirements

FDACS currently states that:

• every hive must be permanently marked with the FDACS registration number in the upper-left corner, using characters at least one-half inch high;
• apiary sites must remain reasonably accessible for inspection;
• hives must use movable frames; and
• apiaries on property not classified as agricultural must follow the department’s Beekeeper Compliance Agreement and best management requirements for European honeybee colonies on non-agricultural lands.

The compliance materials emphasize responsible placement, adequate food and water, colony management, and coordination with the apiary program.

What preemption does not settle

Section 586.10 addresses government regulation of managed colonies. It does not itself verify that a lease, condominium declaration, HOA covenant, rooftop agreement, easement, or insurance policy permits a hive. It also does not excuse unsafe access, unmanaged defensive colonies, off-label pesticide use, or other conduct outside compliant managed beekeeping.

City Rules: Miami

For a South Florida site, see our Miami beekeeping rules and registration guide. It covers residential density bands, barrier conditions, mosquito-control coordination, and hurricane planning, while distinguishing state requirements from local construction and private-property checks.

Before installing a Florida hive

1. Apply for FDACS registration and arrange the required inspection.
2. Read the current Beekeeper Compliance Agreement for non-agricultural land.
3. Confirm property, lease, condominium, HOA, and insurance conditions in writing.
4. Mark equipment as FDACS requires and keep movable frames.
5. Provide permanent water, a managed flight path, safe service access, and a plan for defensive colonies and storms.
6. Recheck the statute and FDACS guidance immediately before installation or movement.

Then use the urban placement guide and beginner setup plan to plan the physical site.

Not legal advice. Sources and current FDACS fees were checked August 9, 2026. Confirm the latest requirements with FDACS and obtain advice for private-property questions where needed.