Bees and wasps
Please refer to the Environmental Health By-Law.
Bees
Under the City of Hobart Environmental Health By-Law, a person may keep a maximum number of bee hives specified in column 2 on land of size specified in column 1.
| Land Size (m2) |
Maximum Number of Bee Hives |
| <400 |
0 |
| 400 - 1000 |
2 |
| 1000 - 2000 |
5 |
| 2000 - 4000 |
10 |
A person must not keep more than the maximum number of bee hives specified in sub clause 1 without the written permission of the Chief Executive Officer. If you want to keep more than the maximum number of bee hives, complete the online application form. A printable form is available on our forms page.
A person keeping bee hives must ensure:
- the provision of a good and sufficient water supply on the land which is readily accessible by the bees on the land
- each bee hive is located near a screen or other barrier so as to prevent the bees flying less than 3 metres over a thoroughfare, public place or adjoining land.
A person must not keep bee hives within 3 metres of a property boundary.
Biosecurity Tasmania registration requirements (BeeTAS)
As part of the implementation of the Biosecurity Act 2019 (the Act), beekeeping is now considered a 'regulated dealing' and under the Act, a person must not engage in a regulated dealing unless they are registered. Therefore, registration is now compulsory for all Tasmanian commercial and recreational beekeepers. This requirement was formalised in the Biosecurity Regulations 2022 which came into effect on 2 November 2022.
More information about who needs to be registered and the conditions of registration can be found on the Biosecurity Tasmania website.
Collection of bee swarms
If you are experiencing a nuisance issue with bees from a neighbouring property please complete the customer request form.
Removal of bee swarms by an experienced beekeeper prevents the need to use pesticides. The Southern Tasmanian Beekeepers Association Inc. has a list of beekeepers who can remove a swarm of bees.
View the Southern Tasmanian Beekeepers swarm collection page.
Wasps
We do not remove wasps from private properties. If you have an issue with wasps, we recommend that wasp nests are removed by a pest control specialist.
If you find a wasp nest on City of Hobart property (such as a playground or park but not bushland reserve) please contact us on 03 6278 2711.