Garden centers & nurseries
Can I keep honeybees in Madison?
A common question, answered by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 13, 2026
1 answer
From MadisonWI.com
Yes, with an annual license from the City of Madison. Get it before April 1 each year or within 30 days of acquiring bees. As of 2026 the application fee is $10, with a $5 late fee. Tell your neighbors before you start (for multi-unit properties, notify the owner and all residents), then submit the Honeybee License Application and fee to the City Treasurer. A lot can have up to six hives of no more than 20 cubic feet each. Hives must be at least 3 feet from any property line, 10 feet from a public sidewalk and 25 feet from a house on an adjoining lot, and you must provide a constant water supply. A hive within 25 feet of a property line needs a flyway barrier at least 6 feet tall. Repeated violations can lead to revocation. This covers the City of Madison only. Source: City of Madison Building Inspection, Beekeeping License (checked November 2026).
Written by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 13, 2026