Maryland State Rules
By LAW, beekeepers must:
1) register their bees with the state of Maryland ANNUALLY. It is free, and you can download the registration form HERE.
2) If you keep bees on someone else's property, a hive in the apiary must be marked, identifying you as the hive owner.
3) You must report symptomatic AFB - American Foul Brood disease.
4) State regulations can be seen HERE.
Montgomery County Ordinances
n 2014, after a four-year multi-step process, Montgomery County revised its entire zoning code. The Montgomery County Beekeepers Association was an active participant beginning early in the process. Educated with the facts about beekeeping, every councilmember supported beekeeping. Throughout the process, through many public hearings, not a single person testified against beekeeping.
The result is that beekeeping is expressly permitted in all parts of the county.
A detailed analysis of the zoning code is below, but it is important tounderstand that 14 incorporated areas within the county are entitled to make their own rules. As of mid-2016 none had regulated beekeeping, but they could pass regulations at any time. Home Owner Associations (HOA) are also entitled to restrict beekeeping. Therefore, while zoning does not forbid beekeeping in condos or apartments, but building management may restrict it.
If you want to see exactly how the above mentioned rules are codified, you can CLICK HERE to see the 362 page document, and use the info below to quickly zero in on the beekeeping zoning rules.
The zoning code is Chapter 59 of Montgomery County Ordinances. The critical information begins on page 3-5 with the Table of Uses. Number 3.2.6 is Farming and 3.2.9 is Urban Farming. Beekeeping is included in Farming (Page 3-15), which is completely permitted in zones designated P. Beekeeping is also included in Urban Farming, which is permitted in limited fashion in all zones with L. You will notice that between Farming and Urban Farming all zones are covered. Now look at the descriptions of the specific limitations for Urban Farming (Page 3-16). Beekeeping is expressly permitted and is expressly not limited.
Therefore, beekeeping is permitted in all zones with no zoning limitations whatsoever. This is not a fluke or coincidence, but was intentional, worked out over years with the appropriate lawmakers and staff.
An additional relevant section is Community Garden (3.2.2). Beekeeping is specifically allowed in Community Gardens and none of the limitations in the section apply to beekeeping.
The previous zoning code was ambiguous as to whether a beehive is a structure. The current definition of Structure (page 1-17) is clear that a normal beehive is not a structure. This was clarified at our request.
If you have any questions or if you see something that raises any questions, contact Marc Hoffman at wildwoodflower@gmail.com.
Our View
The Montgomery County Beekeepers Association’s policy is that some places are simply not suitable for beekeeping. We beekeepers have been given extraordinary latitude because over the years Montgomery County beekeepers have been extraordinarily cooperative and responsible and because our fellow citizens have been unusually understanding and supportive. Do not insist on keeping bees where they are not welcome.
Experts from the club can assist in siting hives to minimize interactions with neighbors. In case of conflict, several avenues are available. Club members, and especially our Master Beekeepers, can assist in educating people about bees and beekeeping. Gentle bees are important in Montgomery County, and MCBA experts can recommend steps to eliminate conditions that might contribute to defensive bees. Club members, and especially Gregg Gochnaur, our long-time state bee inspector, can assist with mediation. If your land is not suitable, the MCBA website has a list of people interested in hosting beekeepers.
Pesticide Use
Montgomery County Bill 52-14, the "Healthy Lawns Act" (enacted 2015, active 2018), restricts the use of non-essential synthetic pesticides on private lawns, playgrounds, and children’s facilities to reduce toxic exposure. It promotes organic land care by banning cosmetic chemicals while allowing specific, safer pesticides for certain weeds, pests, and invasive species. Chevy Chase Village, MD (.gov) +2
Key Aspects of Bill 52-14 (Healthy Lawns Act):
- Scope of Restriction: The law bans the use of synthetic cosmetic pesticides on private lawns, community playgrounds, and children's facilities.
- Exemptions: The ban does not apply to agricultural land, gardens (where food is grown), trees/shrubs, golf courses, or 300+ county athletic fields.
- Allowed Alternatives: It promotes organic-based care, allowing pesticides that are safe for use under the National Organic Standards Board, as well as substances that do not require EPA registration.
- Targeted Pesticide Usage:
- ... Chemical pesticides are still permitted for specific, necessary cases, including:
- ... Protecting public health (e.g., controlling poison ivy or mosquitoes).
- ... Managing designated noxious weeds or invasive species.
- County Property Restrictions: The law required Montgomery County Parks to implement a "pesticide-free" program, banning ne_!onicotinoid pesticides on county property.
- Notification Requirements: The act established new notification requirements for professional applicators and homeowners applying pesticides to their lawns.
- Implementation & Enforcement: While the law restricts application, it does not ban the sale of lawn pesticides within the county. Enforcement is primarily based on resident complaints.
- Long-Term Strategy: Proponents argued that by focusing on improving soil biology through aeration and composting, organic programs can become less costly than chemical-intensive approaches over three to five years.
Chevy Chase Village, MD (.gov) +4
To report pesticide misuse: https://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/citizens_guide_pesticide_enforcement_complaints.aspx