Minimum active hives: 6on the first 5
qualifying acres

Hive figures and time on property: Texas Beekeepers Association, 2023.

Qualifying bee acreage: 5–20 acres

Land used for qualifying beekeeping, with the approved acreage shown separately.

Time on the property: 7 months

Reported by the association, 2023.

A “bee exemption” is usually 1-d-1 open-space agricultural appraisal of qualifying land. Your records support the actual beekeeping taking place there.

Association-reported schedule

Qualifying acreage.
Active colonies.

Association reports one additional hive per additional 2.5 acres.

The table shows whole-step examples. Keep the actual qualifying acreage in your records.

Bell County reported acreage and active-hive schedule
Qualifying acres (examples)	Active hives (reported)
5	6
7.5	7
10	8
12.5	9
15	10
17.5	11
20	12

Beyond the hive count

What Bell wants to see.

Agricultural application: Current-use section

Bell’s instructions show where to enter bees and hive count.

Property acreage: Homesite separate

Match nonagricultural acreage on the application and map.

Bell's instructions show where to enter the hive count.

Bell's illustrated agricultural-application instructions place bees and the number of hives in the current-use section. They list nonagricultural uses, such as a homesite, separately, and reserve the wildlife section for wildlife management.²⁷

When Bell requests updated application information, use the hive count that matches the dates and property in your supporting records. Keep the bee acreage and homesite area distinguishable on the map so the application and attachments describe the same land.

Keep with the year’s records

Records for your Bell property

Current-use information identifying bees and hive count
Map distinguishing bee acreage and homesite
Service notes matching the reported dates

Visit the appraisal district

Records and reporting support

Already have your bee exemption?

We help organize your beekeeping records and prepare county-requested documentation for $99 a year. Tell us about your Bell County property to get started.

Get started now$99/year · Support by email

A few Bell County questions.

Should a Bell bee operation complete the wildlife section?

Bell's instructions say that section is only for wildlife management.

Can my beekeeper’s records be part of the packet?

Yes. Keep dated service notes that identify your Bell County property, the active-colony count, and the work completed. Add the relevant agreement or lease.