Can I keep bees in my garden?
Yes, you can keep bees in your garden, but the rules are stricter than for chickens: registration with the FAVV is mandatory from your first colony, and you must respect legal distances to neighbours. Every beekeeper must register with the FAVV — it is free, but mandatory from the first hive (for disease surveillance, including American foulbrood). The Rural Code (art. 3) imposes distances: hives less than 20 metres from a dwelling or the public road are not allowed, unless you screen them with a continuous screen at least 2 metres high — then the distance is reduced to 10 metres. In addition, the municipal police regulation may impose extra conditions. As keeper you are moreover strictly liable for damage your bees cause (art. 6.17 of the Civil Code). So place the hive entrance away from passageways and provide a water source, so your bees cause no nuisance.
📋 The rules
- Registration with the FAVV is mandatory from your first colony (free, for disease surveillance)
- Rural Code (art. 3): hives less than 20 m from a dwelling or the public road are not allowed …
- … unless screened by a screen ≥ 2 m high, then the distance is reduced to 10 m
- The municipal police regulation may impose additional conditions
- As keeper you are strictly liable for damage by your bees (art. 6.17 Civil Code)
- Place the hive entrance away from paths and provide water, to avoid nuisance
🔓 Exceptions
- With a continuous 2 m high screen, the Rural Code distance is reduced from 20 to 10 metres
- On a large plot of your own, far from dwellings and the public road, the distance does not arise
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Keeping bees without FAVV registration is an offence under animal health legislation and brings a fine. If you do not respect the Rural Code distances, a neighbour can demand via the justice of the peace the relocation or screening of your hives, plus damages. If your bees cause damage or injury, you as keeper bear the consequences (art. 6.17 Civil Code). Breach of the municipal regulation can bring a GAS fine up to €500.
📎 Official sources
- FAVV · registration of beekeepers →
- KonVIB · beekeeping law (Rural Code 20 m / 2 m screen) →
- Flanders · animal welfare →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I keep bees in my garden?
Yes, but you must register from your first colony with the FAVV and respect the Rural Code distances (20 metres, or a 2 metre high screen). Also check the municipal regulation.
Do I have to register my bees?
Yes. Unlike chickens, registration with the FAVV is mandatory from the first hive. It is free and serves the surveillance of bee diseases such as American foulbrood.
How far from the neighbours must the hives be?
In principle at least 20 metres from a dwelling or the public road. If you place a continuous screen at least 2 metres high, that distance is reduced to 10 metres.
Am I liable if someone is stung?
As keeper you are strictly liable for the damage your bees cause (art. 6.17 Civil Code). Good placement and screening reduce both the risk and the dispute.
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