# N.J. Stat. § 40:48-1.5: Regulation of apiary activities

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-1.5

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 40:48-1.5
- **Heading:** Regulation of apiary activities
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 40 / Chapter 48 / Section 48-1.5

## Text

1. a. Except as otherwise provided in subsections b. and c. of this section, no municipality may: (1) adopt an ordinance, resolution, rule, or regulation concerning the breeding or keeping of honey bees or any activities related thereto, including, but not limited to, the use of honey bees for pollination, the reproduction and sale of honey bees, or the production of honey or other apiary products from such bees; or (2) establish any restriction or requirement that would result in the prohibition of the breeding or keeping of honey bees, the use of honey bees for pollination, or any activities related thereto, in the municipality. b. The State shall regulate apiary activities in the State pursuant to R.S.4:6-1 through R.S.4:6-18, sections 8 and 9 of P.L.1977, c.159 (C.4:6-19 and C.4:6-20), P.L.2007, c.271 (C.4:6-21 et seq.), section 2 of P.L.2015, c.76 (C.4:6-24), and any applicable laws. However, the Department of Agriculture may delegate to a municipality the regulatory authority to monitor and enforce the apiary standards established pursuant to subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.2015, c.76 (C.4:6-24), if the municipality adopts by reference those standards by ordinance. Upon adoption of such an ordinance, the municipality shall assume responsibility to monitor apiary activities in the municipality and enforce compliance with the standards adopted pursuant to subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.2015, c.76 (C.4:6-24). A municipality may, at any time, repeal any such ordinance, and upon the municipality doing so, the Department of Agriculture shall immediately reassume all authority and associated duties and responsibilities previously delegated to the municipality pursuant to this subsection. c. If a municipality that has assumed responsibility pursuant to subsection b. of this section finds that there is a condition or circumstance in the municipality that is not resolved by the standards adopted pursuant to subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.2015, c.76 (C.4:6-24), the municipality shall request guidance thereon from the Department of Agriculture. The department shall provide the guidance no later than 90 days after the request is received by the department. Upon expiration of the 90-day period and if the standards adopted pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2015, c.76 (C.4:6-24) do not sufficiently address the condition or circumstance, the municipality, after consulting with the department, the New Jersey League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Beekeepers Association, and the Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium, or successor organizations with similar purposes, may adopt by ordinance a standard to address the condition or circumstance, provided that the standard reflects consideration of population density, the density and intensity of development, type of land use, and honey bee biology and behavior. L.2015, c.76, s.1.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-1 Ordinances; general purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-1.1 Removal or demolition of hazardous buildings; recovery of costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-1.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-1.3 Holding DUI arrestees in protective custody, certain circumstances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-1.3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-1.4 Criminal history record check requested by municipality, authority for.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-1.4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-1.5 Regulation of apiary activities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-1.5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-1.6 Findings, declarations relative to private outdoor video surveillance cameras.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-1.6.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-1.7 Private outdoor video surveillance camera registry.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-1.7.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-2 Other necessary and proper ordinances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-2.1 Opening and closing of beauty parlors; penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-2.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-2.2 Beauty culture, what included in term](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-2.2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-2.3 Unfit buildings in municipalities; exercise of police power authorized](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-2.3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-2.3a Repair, demolition of damaged buildings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-2.3a.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-2.4 Terms defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-2.4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 40:48-2.5 Repair, closing or demolition; ordinance; authorization for order of public officer; summary proceedings to demolish unsafe building](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-2.5.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T40_C48_S48-1.5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.