Minimum active hives: 6on the first 5
qualifying acres

2024 standards

Qualifying bee acreage: 5–20 acres

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

Time on the property: Bulk of year

Active colonies on the property.

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

The local hive schedule

Qualifying acreage.
Active colonies.

The district’s table increases by one hive at each two-acre step.

Comal County acreage and active-hive schedule
Qualifying acres	Active hives
5–6.99	6
7–8.99	7
9–10.99	8
11–12.99	9
13–14.99	10
15–16.99	11
17–18.99	12
19–20	13

Beyond the hive count

What Comal wants to see.

Local stocking table: Two-acre steps

The published table reaches 13 hives on 19–20 acres.

Beekeeping plan: Hives & plantings

Show locations, plants, movement, leases and use.

Purpose of the operation: Commercial value

The guide distinguishes commercial value from commercial sale.

Comal's table adds a hive at each two-acre step.

Comal requires six hives for 5 to 6.99 qualifying acres, increasing to 13 for 19 to 20 acres. The colonies must be living and maintained for the bulk of the year.¹³

Its beekeeping plan covers the type of bees, hive numbers and locations, plants, marketing, and leased acreage or hive movement. Comal also distinguishes products having commercial value from a requirement to sell them commercially. Document the operation's actual use and output rather than treating a honey-sale receipt as the only possible evidence.

Keep with the year’s records

Records for your Comal property

Beekeeping plan with hive types, counts and locations
Planting and forage information
Lease and colony movement records
Actual production or pollination evidence

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 Comal County property to get started.

Get started now$99/year · Support by email

A few Comal County questions.

What hive count is listed for Comal County?

The district guide lists 6 active hives on the first five qualifying acres. The district’s table increases by one hive at each two-acre step.

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

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