Portland, Oregon Beekeeping Ordinance: 2 Hives, Flyway Fence

Portland's 2-Hive Limit

Portland City Code § 13.05.015 permits up to 2 managed honeybee colonies as an accessory use on any residential lot within Portland city limits. No city permit is required for 1–2 colonies. The provision is part of Portland's broader urban agriculture code, which also covers chickens, ducks, and miniature goats under separate provisions.

The 2-hive limit is more restrictive than many peer cities (Seattle allows 4; Denver allows 4; Austin is generally unregulated). Portland's limit reflects the city council's conservative approach when the beekeeping provision was first adopted, and it hasn't been updated since. Proposals to increase the limit have been discussed in the Portland Bureau of Development Services but no amendment has been adopted as of late 2024.

The Flyway Fence Requirement

Any hive with an entrance within 25 feet of a property line must have a solid flyway barrier — a fence, wall, or dense hedge at least 6 feet tall — positioned between the hive entrance and the property line. The barrier forces bees to gain altitude before crossing the line, reducing encounters with neighbors at ground level.

On Portland's typical residential lots (many are 50×100 feet or smaller), most rear-yard hive placements will be within 25 feet of at least one property line. In practice, this means almost all Portland beekeepers need a flyway fence — and most already have one in the form of a 6-foot privacy fence, which is extremely common in Portland's residential neighborhoods.

Oregon State Registration (Required)

Oregon requires registration of all managed honey bee colonies with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). This is separate from Portland's city ordinance. Registration details:

• Who: All beekeepers with at least 1 managed colony in Oregon
• Where: Oregon Department of Agriculture, Plant Division, Apiary Program — oregon.gov/ODA
• Fee: $10/year for hobby beekeepers (under 10 colonies)
• What it gets you: Annual apiary inspection available, access to Oregon State Beekeepers Association resources, pesticide notification alerts for your registered location

Portland's Beekeeping Community

Portland has one of the most active urban beekeeping communities in the Pacific Northwest. The Oregon State Beekeepers Association (osba.org) and its Tualatin Valley chapter serve the Portland metro area with monthly meetings, mentorship programs, and swarm capture services. New Portland beekeepers are strongly encouraged to join before acquiring their first colony — the local knowledge about Portland-specific forage, Varroa management timing, and neighborhood relations is invaluable.

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