Washington Apiary Registration

[Sean Kelly]

Now that I'm a beekeeper, do I need to register here in Washington state?  I just want to make sure I'm doing all the right and legal stuff.

Sean Kelly

[beeginner]

Ya sean I shure woud if it was me. It can help you when the state inspector comes out to look at them and if there is any thing wrong he will tell you  or what you need to do. Im working with the sate inspector  that looks at all the hives in ar and he can teach you alot of stuff. Thats the guy I keep saying the bee guy or the state bee guy lol.   

[Sean Kelly]

I guess the question I'm asking is am I required to register in Washington State?  If so any resources?  I've read in books that some states require registration and inspections.  One of our neighbors is very nosy and likes to turn people in to authorities for doing something wrong, whether it be constructing new buildings to the number of chickens per square yard to how often you blow your nose.  They'll research the subject of whatever it is you're doing and look for reasons to make you stop just because they feel like it's their duty or something.

Sean

[Sean Kelly]

Well, since no one on here knew anything, I called the Washington Department of Agriculture.  They gave me the phone number and email address for the state apiary inspector.  Sent her a email and she said that even hobbiest beekeepers are required to register by law and that the fee for 1 to 5 hives is only $5.  The deadline to register is April 1st, but because my hive was established April 16th that I would not have to pay late fees.

The WSDA website doesn't give much info but you can download the registration form, print it, and mail it off with a check.
Here's the link to that form:

http://agr.wa.gov/PlantsInsects/docs/ApiaryRegistrationForm.pdf

If you need to get a hold of the WSDA's Apiary Admin, here's her contact info:

Christina Rappin, Secretary Administrative
Phone:  (360) 902-2070
Fax:  (360) 902-2094
PO Box 42560
Olympia, WA  98504-2560
[email protected]
[email protected]


Sean Kelly

[beeginner]

LOL I know all about      nosy    neighbors have a bunch hear but there all from ca. Im happy you found out that

[Brian D. Bray]

Thanks Sean for the link.  Now all I need to do is send it to the County Extension Agent.