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Sonoma County Beekeeping Regulations

Local beekeeping rules for Sonoma County and 9 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.

Sonoma

county

"Bees" defined as an Agriculture Enterprise.

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

Cloverdale

city

Beekeeping permitted in the R-R and R-1 Zones, not permitted in R-2 and R-3 Zones

Code: 18.04.040 Residential zoning district use regulations.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Cotati

city

Beekeeping permitted in the OSC, RR, and RVL Zones only.

Code: Table 4-1 Allowable Animal-Keeping and Permit Requirements
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Healdsburg

city No local ordinance

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

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

Petaluma

city
2
hive limit

All hives must be framed and moveable. Hives must be kept a distance away from pedestrian traffic so as to not constitute a nuisance.

Code: 9.08.030 Beehives prohibited
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Rohnert Park

city

Beekeeping—Commercial Roof (up to 10 hives) in Sonoma Village Planned Development District

Code: 17.06.840 - Permitted land uses.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Santa Rosa

city

Bee keeping prohibited as a home occupation.

Code: 20-42.070 Home occupations.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Sebastopol

city
5 ft
from property line

Beekeeping operations shall comply with the Sonoma County Beekeeper’s Association’s (SCBA) Recommended Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Sustainable Beekeeping

Code: 17.300.050 Beekeeping
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Sonoma

city
10 ft
from property line

See "Table 3: Limitations and Standards for the Keeping of Honeybees" for complete list of requirements.

Code: Chapter 8.08 KEEPING OF LIVESTOCK, FOWL AND OTHER ANIMALS
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Windsor

city No local ordinance

In the City of Windsor, 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: Alameda · Alpine · Amador · Butte · Calaveras · Colusa · Contra Costa · Del Norte · see all 58 →