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San Mateo County Beekeeping Regulations

Local beekeeping rules for San Mateo County and 20 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.

San Mateo

county Registration req.

Registration Required by CAC. Bees must not constitute a nuisance.

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

Atherton

city No local ordinance

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

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

Belmont

city No local ordinance

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

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

Brisbane

city No local ordinance

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

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

Burlingame

city

The keeping or maintaining of any animal or bees otherwise than as provided in this chapter shall constitute a nuisance. (1941 Code § 1338, Ord. 1088 § 4, (1976))

Code: 9.08.060 Nuisances.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Colma

city No local ordinance

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

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

Daly City

city No local ordinance

In the City of Daly 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 →

East Palo Alto

city No local ordinance

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

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

Foster City

city

Keeping of other animals prohibited; bees.

Code: 6.04.320 Keeping of other animals prohibited
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Half Moon Bay

city No local ordinance

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

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

Hillsborough

city
50 ft
from road
50 ft
from buildings
3
hive limit
Code: 6.24.010 - Bees and wasps
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Menlo Park

city No local ordinance

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

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

Millbrae

city No local ordinance

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

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

Pacifica

city No local ordinance

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

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

Portola Valley

city No local ordinance

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

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

Redwood City

city
25 ft
from buildings
2 (lots 3,000sq ft or less)
hive limit

Water source required. See municipal code for all requirements.

Code: Sec. 21.7. - KEEPING OF BEES
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

San Bruno

city No local ordinance

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

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

San Carlos

city No local ordinance

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

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

San Mateo

city

Flyaway barrier and water source required. Must not constitute a nuisance.

Code: Chapter 8.28 BEES · 8.28.020 NUISANCE WHEN.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

South San Francisco

city

Apiary defined as "Crop Production, Limited."

Code: 20.620.004 Commercial Use Classifications
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Woodside

city

Permitted in Open Space, SCP, RR, and SR Zones.

Code: Sec. 153.107 - Residential and commercial zoning districts: permitted, conditional, and accessory uses.
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: Alameda · Alpine · Amador · Butte · Calaveras · Colusa · Contra Costa · Del Norte · see all 58 →