Minimum active hives: 6on the first 5
qualifying acres

Policy dated October 13, 2020

Qualifying bee acreage: 5–20 acres

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

Inspection records: At least monthly checks

Keep the dated records with the property’s account details.

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 for each additional two acres.

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

Real County acreage and active-hive schedule
Qualifying acres (examples)	Active hives
5	6
7	7
9	8
11	9
13	10
15	11
17	12
19	13

Beyond the hive count

What Real wants to see.

Management frequency: Monthly hive checks

Keep management notes and control tall vegetation around the hives.

Beside the apiary: Dependable water

Provide a perpetual source if no natural water is adjacent.

Qualifying land: Homesite distinction

Show bee acreage separately from home or future-homesite acreage.

Real calls for monthly checks and a dependable water source.

Real's bee standards require six active hives on five qualifying acres, adding a hive for each additional two acres. The guide calls for at least monthly hive checks and management records, along with control of tall vegetation around the colonies.³⁶

Where there is no natural water source adjacent to the apiary, Real calls for a perpetual water source nearby. Show the water location on the hive map and record supplemental feeding when resources are limited. Its acreage wording also addresses a home or future homesite, so distinguish the bee acreage from the gross tract size.

Keep with the year’s records

Records for your Real property

Monthly hive checks and management notes
Hive map showing the water source
Feeding records where resources are limited
Qualifying-acreage map

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 Real County property to get started.

Get started now$99/year · Support by email

A few Real County questions.

Does Real use the common 2.5-acre increment?

Its published bee table uses two-acre increments.

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

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