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.