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Beehive Space & Honey Production Calculator

Enter your lot size, local hive limit, and setback requirements to see how many hives fit — with estimated honey yields and a compliance checklist.

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Backyard Beehive Planner
Ordinance compliance + production estimates

Your Lot & Ordinance

Enter 20 if no limit. Look up your city →

Hive & Production Setup

Results & Compliance Checklist

    Bee Laws Guide State Registration Info

    How Honey Yields Are Estimated

    Honey yield varies enormously by region, colony health, seasonal forage, and beekeeper management. The estimates in this calculator use data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) honey production reports and university extension guidelines:

    • Excellent forage regions (Pacific NW in good years, upper Midwest clover country): 50–80 lbs/hive/year
    • Good forage regions (most of the eastern US): 30–60 lbs/hive/year
    • Moderate forage (urban areas, arid Southwest): 20–40 lbs/hive/year
    • Poor forage (very arid or industrial areas): 10–25 lbs/hive/year

    These are gross yields — approximately 30–40 lbs per hive should be left for the colony to overwinter successfully in cold climates. New colonies in their first year typically produce little or no surplus honey as they're building comb and population.

    Year 1 Expectations
    First-year hives rarely produce surplus honey. Your first season should be focused on colony establishment, health monitoring, and Varroa mite management. Don't harvest honey in year 1 unless the hive is exceptionally strong and you've confirmed the colony has adequate winter stores (70–80 lbs in cold climates).

    📚 Recommended Resource

    Beekeeping for Beginners (2026 Edition)

    Once your ordinance is clear, this #1 bestseller covers building your first hive, colony management, honey harvesting, and Varroa mite control. Includes a hive inspection checklist. Rated 4.7★ with 754+ reviews.

    View on Amazon →

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    Note: Honey yield estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual yields depend on colony health, local forage, weather, and beekeeper management. This tool does not substitute for verified local ordinance research.