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Alameda County Beekeeping Regulations

Local beekeeping rules for Alameda County and 14 cities: setback distances, hive limits, registration, and a link to each current municipal code.

Read this first. This is a convenience summary compiled from public municipal codes as of 2020. Rules change — this is not legal advice. Always confirm with your city or county and the official code before keeping bees.
Statewide, California requires apiary registration with your county agricultural commissioner (register at BeeWhere: https://beewhere.calagpermits.org/). Local city/county rules below are in addition to state law.

Alameda

county

Restricted in Residential zones. The keeping of pets, livestock, bees and exotic animals for which a permit has been obtained in accordance with applicable regulations are permitted in addition to those animals otherwise permitted by this title.

Code: 17.52.230 - Accessory uses—Pets, livestock, bees, exotic animals.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation → Check the current regulation →

Alameda

city No local ordinance

In the City of Del Mar, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.

Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Albany

city

"… may not take up residence in the City of Albany without express written approval of the City.."

Code: 10-1.1 General Purpose
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Berkeley

city No local ordinance

In the City of Berkeley, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.

Code: Section 4908.9 Apiaries
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Dublin

city No local ordinance

In the City of Dublin, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.

Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Emeryville

city No local ordinance

In the City of Emeryville, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.

Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Fremont

city
5 ft
from property line
Tiered by lot size, up to 5
hive limit

Must obtain a permit. Not allowed on properties 6,000sq.ft. or less. See ordinance for further requirements.

Code: 6.40.040 Beekeeping.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Hayward

city

An application for a Zoning Conformance Permit for beekeeping shall require noticing of all property owners within one hundred feet of the property where the bees are proposed to be kept.

Code: SEC. 10-1.2735 - SPECIAL STANDARDS AND CONDITIONS FOR CERTAIN USES
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Livermore

city No local ordinance

In the City of Emeryville, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.

Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Newark

city No local ordinance

In the City of Newark, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.

Code: 6.08.080
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Oakland

city
Up to 3 hives
hive limit

See ordinance for futher regulations

Code: Chapter 17.112 - HOME OCCUPATION REGULATIONS
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Piedmont

city No local ordinance

In the City of Piedmont, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.

Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Pleasanton

city
5 ft
from property line
R-1 Zone: up to 2 Hives, A Zone: up to 10 Hives
hive limit

An Application for a permit to keep bees shall be filed with the zoning administrator.Bbeekeeping on land in the A (Agricultural) zoning district; for properties with detached, single-family homes located in the R-1 (One­Family Residential) zoning district and RM (Multi-Family Residential) zoning district; and for properties with detached, single-family homes located in the Downtown Specific Plan Area only. See ordinance for further requirements.

Code: Chapter 18.103 BEEKEEPING · Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to administrative fines and/or penalties pursuant to Chapter 18.140.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

San Leandro

city
5 ft
from property line
50 ft
from buildings
up to 3 Hives
hive limit

No hive shall be kept on a parcel of less than 6,000 sq.ft. Personal Permit required. See ordinance for futher requirements.

Code: Article 14. Beekeeping
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Union City

city No local ordinance

In the City of Union City, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.

Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →
Compiled from public municipal codes, originally referenced by the California Master Beekeeper Program (2020) and re-presented for easier lookup. Verify every rule against the linked official code before keeping bees. Not legal advice.

Other counties: Alpine · Amador · Butte · Calaveras · Colusa · Contra Costa · Del Norte · El Dorado · see all 58 →