Yes, beekeeping is legal in Utah, but compliance with state and local regulations is mandatory. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) oversees apiary management, requiring registration and disease control measures. Municipal ordinances may impose additional restrictions, particularly in urban areas.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Utah
- Apiary Registration: All beekeepers must register hives annually with the UDAF under Utah Code Ann. § 4-11-101 to 107, with fees ranging from $10 to $50 based on hive count. Failure to register risks fines up to $500.
- Disease and Pest Control: Utah mandates compliance with UDAF’s apiary inspection protocols, including Varroa mite testing and American foulbrood eradication. Non-compliance triggers quarantine orders under Utah Admin. Code R58-1-10.
- Local Zoning Restrictions: Cities like Salt Lake City and Provo enforce ordinances limiting hive placement (e.g., minimum 25-foot setbacks from property lines) and prohibiting apiaries in residential zones without special permits.
Additional considerations include:
- Apiary Location: Hives must be sited to avoid nuisance complaints under Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6-1106, which addresses “abnormally dangerous activities.”
- Pesticide Use: Beekeepers must adhere to Utah’s pesticide laws (Utah Code Ann. § 4-14-1), reporting chemical applications to the UDAF to prevent bee kills.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The UDAF is phasing in mandatory electronic hive tracking by 2026, aligning with USDA’s National Honey Bee Survey requirements.