Minimum active hives: 6on the first 5
qualifying acres

2026 manual; reviewed March 3, 2026

Qualifying bee acreage: 5–20 acres

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

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 colony for each complete additional two acres.

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

Williamson 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 Williamson wants to see.

Acreage calculation: Complete two-acre units

A partial remainder does not automatically add another hive.

Separate landowners: No pooling to reach 5 acres

Different ownerships cannot be combined to meet the minimum.

Bee acreage: Homesite excluded

Keep the qualifying land distinct on your map.

Williamson's 2026 manual uses complete two-acre increments.

Williamson requires six colonies on the first five qualifying acres and one more for each complete additional two acres. That produces 11 colonies on 15 acres and 13 on 20 under the manual's calculation.⁸

The district says acreage under different ownership cannot be pooled to reach the minimum, and a homesite does not count as bee acreage. Keep the property boundary, ownership, and qualifying acreage clear on the apiary map. This matters when neighboring landowners use the same beekeeper but hold separate parcels.

Keep with the year’s records

Records for your Williamson property

Ownership and property-boundary records
Hive map distinguishing the homesite
Qualifying acreage and active-colony counts
Property-specific beekeeper service records

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 Williamson County property to get started.

Get started now$99/year · Support by email

A few Williamson County questions.

Does a partial two-acre remainder add another hive?

Williamson's published calculation counts complete additional two-acre units.

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

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