Yes, beekeeping is legal in Georgia with minimal state-level restrictions, but compliance with local ordinances and agricultural regulations is required. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) regulates apiary health and registration, while county governments may impose additional zoning or nuisance laws. Recent 2026 updates to GDA’s Apiary Inspection Rules mandate annual hive inspections for disease control, aligning with USDA standards. Urban beekeeping is permitted in most municipalities, though Atlanta’s 2025 zoning amendments prohibit hives in residential R-1 districts without a conditional use permit.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Georgia
- Apiary Registration: All beekeepers must register hives annually with the GDA under O.C.G.A. § 2-15-10, with fees capped at $25 for up to 20 colonies. Failure to register risks fines up to $1,000 under 2026 enforcement protocols.
- Disease Control: Hives must undergo mandatory inspections for Varroa destructor and American foulbrood, with eradication orders issued for non-compliant colonies. The GDA’s 2026 Honey Bee Health Plan imposes stricter penalties for untreated infestations.
- Nuisance and Zoning Laws: Counties like Fulton and Cobb require hives to be 20+ feet from property lines and prohibit placement in public right-of-ways. Violations may trigger abatement orders under local nuisance ordinances, as seen in DeKalb County’s 2025 enforcement cases.
Additional restrictions apply to commercial operations, including pesticide application buffers and transportation permits for migratory beekeeping. Consult the GDA’s Beekeeper’s Manual (2026 ed.) for updated compliance checklists.