Yes, beekeeping is legal in New Mexico, but compliance with state and local regulations is mandatory. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) regulates apiculture under the New Mexico Apiary Act, requiring registration for hives. Local ordinances, particularly in urban areas like Albuquerque or Santa Fe, may impose additional restrictions on hive placement or colony density.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in New Mexico
- Registration Requirement: All beekeepers must register hives annually with the NMDA, including colony counts and apiary locations, per NMSA 76-10-1 et seq. Failure to register risks fines up to $500.
- Disease Control Mandates: The NMDA enforces Apiary Inspection Rules (2023), requiring inspections for foulbrood and other notifiable diseases. Infected hives must be treated or destroyed to prevent spread.
- Local Zoning Restrictions: Municipalities like Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department (2024) limit hive numbers to 2 per residential lot and prohibit placement within 25 feet of property lines or public pathways.
Additional compliance notes include:
- Pesticide Use: Beekeepers must report pesticide-related bee kills to the NMDA within 48 hours, as per NMSA 76-10-25.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: New NMDA rules (effective January 2026) will mandate electronic registration and digital mapping of apiaries to enhance traceability during disease outbreaks.
For rural areas, the NMDA defers to county health departments, which may impose stricter rules. Consult the NMDA’s Apiculture Program (nmda.nmsu.edu) for updated guidance.