San Diego County Beekeeping Regulations
Local beekeeping rules for San Diego County and 18 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.
A: 25 ft
from property line
Yes, see ordinance for list of requirements
Code: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/awm/docs/condensed%20Bee%20Ordinance%209-15-15.pdf · Any person who violates section 62.921 of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Yes, see ordinance for list of requirements
Code: http://www.qcode.us/codes/carlsbad/?view=desktop&topic=21-21_42-21_42_140 · Any person found within violation will receive a written notice within 5 days.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
May be kept closer to buildings if used for study or scientific research with permission from nearby dwellings
Code: https://chulavista.municipal.codes/CVMC/6.04 · All violations considered an infraction and public nuisance. Infraction is punishable by a fine not exceeding $100.00 dollars.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
It is unlawful and a nuisance for any person to keep, or cause to be kept, or to permit or suffer to be kept, or to maintain or control any bees, or hive of or for bees, or any apiary within the limits of this City.
Code: https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Coronado/#!/Coronado32/Coronado3220.html#32.20
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Del Mar
city No local ordinance
In the City of Del Mar, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.
Code: https://library.municode.com/ca/del_mar/codes/community_plan?nodeId=15560
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Yes, see ordinance for further requirements.
Code: https://qcode.us/codes/elcajon/
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
The City of Encinitas adopts Title 6, Division 2, Chapter 9, of the County of San Diego Code relating to bees. (Ord. 2018-06)
Code: http://www.qcode.us/codes/encinitas/
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
No person in this city shall keep any bees, bee stand or bee house where bees may accumulate or harbor to the annoyance or damage of any of the inhabitants of this city, or prejudicial to their comfort. (Code 1957, § 4041)
Code: http://qcode.us/codes/escondido/ · It shall be the duty of the chief of police, upon his or her own information or the information of others of any bees kept or harbored in this city, to notify, either by oral or written notice, the person so keeping or harboring such bees to remove the same within five (5) days from the date of said notice from the city. (Code 1957, § 4042)
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Imperial Beach
city No local ordinance
In the City of Imperial Beach, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.
Code: http://qcode.us/codes/imperialbeach/?view=desktop · Refer to nuisance abatement Code
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Must meeting Zoning Ordinance requirements. No person shall transport bees between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
Code: https://library.municode.com/ca/la_mesa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT8AN_CH8.04INGE_8.04.040KEBE · The animal control officer shall, pursuant to California Penal Code Section 836.5, be authorized to arrest and issue citations to persons alleged to violate this Title or related regulations to appear in court
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
25 (3-4 hives must maintain 100 ft) ft
from buildings
Beehives may be kept within the residential low and low/medium zoning districts with the application of a permit. See ordinance for further requirements.
Code: https://qcode.us/codes/lemongrove/
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Beehives may be kept only on lots with a minimum area of ten thousand square feet within the open space and institutional zones. See ordinance for further requirements.
Code: https://library.municode.com/ca/national_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT8AN_CH8.34BE · see code section 8.34.030 - Enforcement and removal
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Oceanside
city No local ordinance
In the City of Oceanside, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries.
Code: https://library.municode.com/ca/oceanside/codes/code_of_ordinances
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
1-3 hives allowed in zoning RRA-RRC (minimum lot size: 1 Acre), RS1. RS2 (minimum lot size: 20,000 sq. ft) allowed with minor conditional use permit. 4+ hives, all zoning, must have minor conditional use permit.
Code: https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Poway/#!/poway17/poway1708.html#17.08.110
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
A: 15 ft
from property line
See Ordinance for further requirements.
Code: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter04/Ch04Art04Division04.pdf · Any federal, state, district or city officer or agency that is charged with the duties of fire prevention or control is authorized, within the geographical limits of his or its jurisdiction, to enforce Sections 44.0413 through 44.0415 of this division.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
San Marcos
city No local ordinance
In the City of San Marcos, there are no municipal codes set in place for the ownership of apiaries. (City Director of Planning may conditionally permit)
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
See Ordinance for further requirements.
Code: https://qcode.us/codes/santee/
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Beekeeping not permitted in residential zones
Code: https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SolanaBeach/#!/SolanaBeach17/SolanaBeach1720.html#17.20.040 · Code section 17.20.040 Title H section 1 subtitle h
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
See Ordinance for further requirements.
Code: https://records.cityofvista.com/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1044296&searchid=56d371b0-302b-49c9-bbdb-9f0d6bae186e&dbid=0 · Written notice of violation within 48 hours
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.