Guideline No. 04 – Apiaries

Apiaries will not be allowed in townhomes or condominium communities. An Exterior Alteration Application must be submitted for all apiaries requested for single family homes and will only be allowed on a case-by-case basis. Apiaries will not be allowed as an in-home business.

Exterior Alteration Application Requirements

The application must include:

  • Diagrammed plot plan labeled with the location of the apiary.
    Note: Applications without a diagrammed plot plan will not be accepted.
  • Description of and number of hives.
  • Landscaping plan for screening and flight path prevention.
  • Description of barriers.
  • Flight path information.
  • Registration of hives.
Approval

Your Exterior Alteration Application for an apiary will most likely be approved if you meet the following conditions:

  1. The hives are registered with the State of Maryland.
  2. Hives are located no closer than 300 feet to any house or building used as a dwelling other than a house or building owned by the applicant.
  3. Apiary does not endanger public health or safety or create unreasonable interference with the use of others’ property.
  4. Adequate flight dispersing barriers are constructed and maintained that do not serve as a nuisance to nearby residences or Open Space areas that are for the enjoyment of the public.
  5. Apiary is not closer than one hundred (100) feet from public walking paths.

NOTE: In the State of Maryland beehives must be registered. The apiary plan will clearly denote provisions for the containment and maintenance of the bees in a manner that they will not endanger other residents or the public or create an unreasonable interference with the use of others’ property.