Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5B-54.0105 - Location of Managed Honey Bee Colonies

(1) With the permission of the landowner or legal representative, managed European honey bee colonies may be located on either:

(a) Land classified as agricultural under Section 193.461, F.S., provided they are compliant with the provisions of Chapter 586, F.S., and all rules promulgated thereunder, or

(b) Land classified as non-agricultural under Section 193.461, F.S., that is integral to a beekeeping operation provided the beekeeper signs a Beekeeper Compliance Agreement, FDACS-08492, revised 12/17. This compliance agreement is incorporated herein by reference and may be obtained online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09153.

(2) The Beekeeper Compliance Agreement, FDACS-08492, revised 12/17 provides best management requirements for maintaining European honey bee colonies on non-agricultural lands and incorporates swarm prevention techniques as explained in Swarm Control for Managed Beehives (UF-IFAS Publication ENY-160, revised February 2016). UF-IFAS Publication ENY-160 is incorporated herein by reference and a copy may be obtained online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09156.

(3) The Honey Bee Queen Compliance Agreement, FDACS-08419, Revised 1/18, provides best management requirements for maintaining Honey Bee Queens. This agreement is incorporated herein by reference and available online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09152.

(4) Special Permits - The Division Director shall issue a special permit for the placement of managed honey bee colonies on lands other than agricultural that do not meet the requirements within the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement, FDACS-08492, revised 12/17 provided the property is determined to be integral to a beekeeping operation based on the following standards and conditions:

(a) The property owner must submit a written request to the Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection that includes a map of the property with the proposed number and location of the managed honey bee colonies;

(b) The property owner must submit a written explanation of the justification for a special permit, including measures that will be taken to mitigate any best management requirements that cannot be met and any other special circumstances that are relevant; and,

(c) Agreement from the Division that a special permit is justified and the beekeeping operation will not pose a public nuisance or unacceptable safety concern.

(d) Apiary locations shall be registered to include the physical location by street address or a geographic coordinate.

(5) Managed European honey bee colonies not in compliance with Section 586.10(1), F.S., and this section shall be issued a Notice of Non-Compliance for Maintaining European Honey Bee Colonies, FDACS-08499, revised 07/17, which is incorporated herein by reference and may be obtained online at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09154.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5B-54.0105

Rulemaking Authority 586.10 FS. Law Implemented 586.045, 586.055, 586.10(1), 586.10(3), 586.15 FS.

New 1-1-14, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 050, March 13, 2018 effective 3/27/2018.

New 1-1-14, Amended 3-27-18.