Can I keep beehives in my yard?
Yes, but with placement rules relative to neighbours and the road. Under the Apiculture Law 383/2013, hives are placed at least 5 metres from private property boundaries (in or out of town) and at least 10 metres from public roads or public-domain boundaries. If the 5-metre distance can't be respected for lack of space, hives can be placed backing onto the fence, provided there's a mesh the bees can't pass through, 2 metres high and extending an extra 2 metres beyond the hives' ends (forcing bees to fly upward). The number of bee families kept for overwintering on a permanent site is not limited. Beekeepers who move hives for pastoral foraging or overwintering must notify the town hall. In short: yes, observing the distances and, if needed, the protective mesh.
📋 The rules
- At least 5 metres from private property boundaries
- At least 10 metres from roads/public domain
- No space: hives backing onto the fence + a 2 m mesh
- Number of families for overwintering: unlimited
- Notify the town hall when moving for foraging/overwintering
🔓 Exceptions
- Lack of space: a 2 m mesh, +2 m beyond the hives' ends
- Pastoral beekeeping: notification to local authorities
- Sanitary-veterinary rules (ANSVSA): to observe in addition
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Not observing the hive placement distances (5 m from neighbours, 10 m from the road) or the protection conditions (the 2 m mesh where there's no space) can cause conflicts with neighbours and sanctions, especially if the bees cause discomfort or incidents. Beekeepers must also observe the sanitary-veterinary rules (registering the apiary, keeping records of families) and notify local authorities when moving for foraging. To avoid trouble: place hives at the legal distances, fit the protective mesh if you can't keep the 5 metres, register the apiary and keep records of families, communicate with neighbours in good time and notify the town hall when you move hives. Protecting bees from plant-protection treatments is ensured by notifying the local authorities.
📎 Official sources
- Apiculture Law no. 383/2013 →
- ANSVSA · registering apiaries →
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) →
❓ Frequently asked
How far from neighbours can I place hives?
Under the Apiculture Law 383/2013, hives are placed at least 5 metres from private property boundaries, both in and out of town. From public roads or public-domain boundaries, the minimum distance is 10 metres. These distances protect neighbours and passers-by.
What if I don't have 5 metres to the fence?
If the 5-metre distance can't be respected for lack of space, hives can be placed backing onto the fence, provided there's a mesh the bees can't pass through. The mesh must be 2 metres high and extend an extra 2 metres beyond the hives' ends, forcing the bees to fly upward.
How many hives can I keep in the yard?
The number of bee families kept for overwintering on a permanent site isn't limited by law. You can keep as many families as you want, provided you observe the placement distances from neighbours and the road, the protection conditions and the sanitary-veterinary rules on registering and recording the apiary.
Must I notify anyone that I keep hives?
Yes. Beekeepers who place hives for pastoral foraging or overwintering must inform the local public administration authorities about the period, the number of bee families and the owner's address. The apiary must also be registered under ANSVSA's sanitary-veterinary rules.
Can neighbours report me for hives?
If you observe the legal distances and protection conditions, you have the right to keep hives. But if you don't observe the 5 metres from neighbours and 10 metres from the road, or if the bees cause discomfort, neighbours can report you, and breaching the rules can bring sanctions and a duty to fix the situation.
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