Support Us Button Widget

Decode the code: Can I try beekeeping in my backyard?

You’re buzzing with excitement to start a new hobby, but first: Get informed on the local rules and regulations.

Three bees are pictured on pieces of wood. The photo was taken up close, so you can see details like the bees' fuzzy bodies.

Beekeeping is allowed in Fort Worth, provided you follow certain regulations. | Photo by Johann Piber via Pexels

So, you wanna bee a beekeeper, but you don’t know the first thing about it. For starters — is that even allowed on Fort Worth residential properties?

The short answer: Yes, it’s allowed. Keep reading for the long answer.

Get your paperwork in order

Beekeeping is regulated at both the state and local levels, so first, you’ll need to consult Texas’ Chief Apiary Inspector:

  • While it’s not mandatory by state law, a Beekeeper Registration Application + $35 fee may be required for participation in certain beekeeping programs.
  • If you’re sending or receiving a shipment of bees outside of Texas, you’ll need a permit for that + to pay a $200 fee.

Is your backyard up to code for bees?

You can use your backyard, but the number of hives allowed on your property varies depending on size:

  • 1/4 acre or smaller | Two hives
  • Between 1/4 acre and 1/2 acre | Four hives
  • Between 1/2 acre and 1 acre | Six hives
  • Larger than one acre | No limit

You’ll also need to consider where you’ll put the hives. If hive entrances are perpendicular to + within 25 feet of another property line, you’ll need to place a solid six-foot-tall wall, fence, or hedge between your hives and the property line. The barrier must also extend at least four feet beyond the hive in each direction.

Follow the rules

There are a few other regulations when it comes to beekeeping locally:

  • Colonies must be kept in hives with removable frames or top bars with dividers.
  • You must keep a source of water for the bees year-round.
  • Wax combs should be sealed in insect-proof containers or closed buildings.
  • If a colony exhibits aggressive behavior without provocation, you’re responsible for re-queening or managing them.
  • The Chief Apiary Inspector can enter any premises where bees, equipment, pollen, or honey are located to check for violations at any time.

Bonus: Check out the Metro Beekeepers Association + try this beginner class that will teach you about hive types, equipment, protective clothing, obtaining and installing bees, and beyond.

More from FTWtoday
The ranch will also feature dining, an entertainment studio, a spa, and more.
We’re giving you the 411 on the 817’s landmarks — from the Livestock Exchange Building to the Tarrant County Courthouse. Learn about their history, fun facts, and why Fort Worthians and visitors alike find them so iconic.
Taking the train isn’t just for commuters — it’s also a method of leisure travel that’s growing in popularity.
Sometimes you get the munchies late at night, so we’re helping out with a list of spots that stay open late around Cowtown.
From hidden treehouses to sitcom-theme homes, Fort Worth is full of special places for a staycation that offer guests a break from traditional motels and hotels.
They don’t call it spooky season for nothing.
The Texas city editors hit the highlights at Fair Park, thanks to these reader recommendations.
Gov. Greg Abbott, Mayor Mattie Parker, and other city leaders gathered to dedicate the New Heights High School.
This NBC tool utilizes home prices, interest rates, and availability (among other factors) to determine just how difficult it is to buy a home in Tarrant County.
Stockyards Heritage Development Co. filed a permit to renovate the 1907 hotel on East Exchange Avenue.