Yes, beekeeping is legal in West Virginia, but compliance with state and local regulations is required. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) oversees apiary management, while county health departments may impose additional restrictions. Recent 2026 updates emphasize hive registration and disease control measures to mitigate Africanized bee risks.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in West Virginia
- Hive Registration: All beekeepers must register colonies annually with the WVDA under §19-12-1 et seq. of the West Virginia Code, with a $10 fee per hive. Failure to register may result in fines up to $250 per unregistered colony.
- Disease Management: The WVDA mandates inspections for foulbrood and other contagious diseases. Apiaries testing positive must undergo treatment or destruction under §19-12-6, with non-compliance triggering quarantine orders.
- Local Zoning Restrictions: Counties like Kanawha and Berkeley require permits for urban apiaries, limiting hive density to one per 2,500 sq. ft. in residential zones. Violations may prompt abatement actions under local nuisance ordinances.
Additional compliance includes maintaining a minimum 6-foot barrier between hives and property lines in unincorporated areas, per WVDA’s 2025 Apiary Best Practices Guidelines. Beekeepers transporting hives across county lines must secure a Movement Permit from the WVDA to prevent cross-contamination. For commercial operations, adherence to FDA labeling standards for honey products is enforced during market inspections. Consult the WVDA’s 2026 Apiary Compliance Manual for updated protocols.