Homeowner Associations (HOA’s) have private authority to regulate the structures and uses permitted within a neighborhood. Whether or not Cary permits beekeeping in your zoning district, if your HOA prohibits beekeeping, you are not allowed to have beekeeping on your property. Or if your HOA has more stringent rules regarding how beekeeping can occur, then you must follow those rules instead. You should contact your association or management company for more information.

All domestic beekeeping must meet the standards as defined in Town of Cary LDO Section 5.3.4 (O).

• No hive shall be established or kept within 10 feet of a property line. 
• Hives shall be placed at ground level or securely attached to an anchor or stand.  
• The maximum number of hives allowed shall be five hives on a single parcel.

• Applicant shall maintain a constant and adequate on-site source of fresh water, which shall be located closer to the hive than any other water source on adjacent properties.
• In the event that the bees become Nuisance bees (as defined in Section 6-71a, Cary Town Ordinance), applicant is responsible to abate the nuisance in accordance with Town Code Section 6-71a.

Permits are processed through the Town’s electronic application system, IDT (live link).

1. Read this Citizen Guide to Domestic Beekeeping Permits to understand the standards and documents you will need on hand to apply.
2. Link to Town of Cary electronic permit application system.
3. Createuser account in IDT
   • If you’re a first-time user of IDT, a user account will need to be created. To begin this process simply click the “Register” button located in the upper right-hand corner of the IDT home page
4. Complete application and upload documents
   • To Begin the Application:
     • Select “Submit a Project for Review” (yellow button located mid-page)
     • For Application Category select “Accessory Use Permits”
     • For Application Type select the permit type requested
     • For Project Title enter your address and the permit use being applied for such as:“316 N. Academy- Domestic Beekeeping”
   • Upload Documents:

All required documents shall be uploaded as individual PDFs and named accordingly (i.e. site layout, property owner approval, etc.)

• Property Information (yard size, property owner on record)
• Plot Plan or Aerial Photo showing property lines, location of hive, the distance of the hive to the property lines, and adequate fresh water source)
• Property Owner Authorization (if applicant is not property owner of record, applicant must submit signed authorization granting applicant permission to obtain a permit for domestic bees.)

A plot plan is a simple drawing of your property noting all property lines and structures.  Here is an example:

Permits are processed within two weeks of a complete submission.

There is a $100 processing fee for the Accessory Use Permit. 

No. An inspection of the proposed site for beekeeping will not typically be conducted by the Town of Cary as part of the permitting process unless the review of the permit indicates the need to verify information. The Town will inspect and determine compliance with the ordinance on a complaint basis or if staff observation indicates that a violation may be occurring.