Minimum active hives: 6on the first 5
qualifying acres

Published district standards; edition undated

Qualifying bee acreage: 5–20 acres

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

Time on the property: 9 months

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.

One additional hive at each published 1.5-acre step.

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

Hays County acreage and active-hive schedule
Qualifying acres (examples)	Active hives
5	6
6.5	7
8	8
9.5	9
11	10
12.5	11
14	12
15.5	13
17	14
18.5	15
20	16

Beyond the hive count

What Hays wants to see.

Time on the property: 9 months

Keep dates that document the colonies’ presence.

District inspection: 1–2 times a year

The published guide describes this inspection frequency.

Stocking progression: 1.5-acre steps

The table reaches 16 hives at 20 acres.

Hays combines a nine-month requirement with closer hive spacing in the acreage table.

Hays' published guide starts at six hives on five acres and adds one at each 1.5-acre step, reaching 16 on 20 acres. It specifies nine months on the property and describes inspections once or twice a year.⁹

Keep movement dates and active-colony counts together, especially if your beekeeper works across several properties. Hays also asks for a landscape plan that identifies forage. Keep the plan consistent with the locations and vegetation shown in your photographs.

Keep with the year’s records

Records for your Hays property

Movement dates showing time on the property
Dated active-colony counts
Landscape plan identifying forage
Photos consistent with hive and forage locations

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 Hays County property to get started.

Get started now$99/year · Support by email

A few Hays County questions.

What hive count is listed for Hays County?

The district guide lists 6 active hives on the first five qualifying acres. One additional hive at each published 1.5-acre step.

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

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