Chickens, bees and urban farming in Washington, DC

The details

• Fowl need a permit, and the enclosure must be at least 50 ft from any building people live in and 250 ft from property lines unless every household within 100 ft consents in writing.Medium confidence
• Bees: register each colony with DOEE within 30 days. Up to four hives per lot (more on lots over a quarter acre). Hives 15 ft from property lines. A constant water source.High confidence

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Common questions

Can I keep backyard chickens or bees in Washington?

Backyard chickens are effectively unavailable on most DC lots: the coop needs a permit and must sit 50 ft from any home. Beekeeping is legal with DOEE registration.

Sources

1. DOEE briefing on backyard chickens, quoting 24 DCMR § 902 (2015). Checked 2026-10-21
   [24 DCMR § 902] Must have a permit... Enclosure not within 50 ft. of any building used for human habitation... Enclosure must be 250 ft. from any property line [unless written consent is obtained from all households within 100 ft.]
2. DOEE, Beekeeping is legal in the District of Columbia. Checked 2026-10-21
   Register every colony with DOEE within 30 days of colony establishment... no more than four hives per property, unless the property is larger than one-quarter acre... at least 15 feet from a property line... a convenient, adequate, and constant source of wa…