All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in California

    Everything you need to know about legally keeping bees in California - from state registration to city-specific ordinances.

    Last updated: April 28, 2026

    Key Facts - California Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    Yes - through CDFA

    Residential Hive Limits

    No statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)

    State Registration Requirements

    All beekeepers in California must register annually with their local County Agricultural Commissioner's office by January 1 each year, or within 30 days of acquiring bees. Statewide registration is managed through the BeeWhere system (beewhere.calagpermits.org). Some counties - notably Los Angeles County - require a SECOND county-level registration in addition to BeeWhere: paper forms must be filled out, printed, and mailed (along with a copy of the BeeWhere certificate) to the County Agricultural Commissioner's office. Out-of-state beekeepers bringing colonies into California for pollination must also register. Beekeepers must notify the County Agricultural Commissioner when moving bees to new locations within or between counties.

    Registration Fees

    BeeWhere registration fees are tiered by colony count, typically ranging from $10 for small hobbyist operations up to around $250 for larger operations. Some participating counties waive or reduce fees for hobbyists with fewer than 10 colonies. Fees are assessed annually based on the maximum number of colonies registered in the prior calendar year.

    Register with CDFA

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    No statewide residential hive limit. Local city and county ordinances set specific limits, typically ranging from 2 hives in dense urban areas to unlimited on agricultural land.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit on agricultural or rural properties. California is the largest beekeeping state in the U.S. by colony count, with many commercial operations running thousands of hives for almond pollination.

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement. Local ordinances typically require 5 to 25 feet from property lines. Most cities require a 6-foot flyway barrier when hives are near neighboring properties.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Los Angeles

    Hive Limits

    Allowed in single-family residential zones (RA, RE, RS, R1). Number of hives is limited based on lot area - generally one hive per 2,500 square feet of lot.

    Setbacks

    Hives must be at least 5 feet from front, side, and rear lot lines and at least 20 feet from public rights-of-way or private streets. A solid 6-foot barrier is required between hives and adjacent lots.

    Notes

    Legalized by Ordinance 183920 in October 2015. Hive entrances must face away from or be parallel to the nearest adjacent lot line. No front-yard hives. A water source must be maintained on the property. LA County requires DUAL registration (both steps are legally required): (1) statewide BeeWhere registration at https://beewhere.calagpermits.org/ - fee is tiered $10-$250 by colony count; (2) county-level paper forms which must be printed, filled out, and mailed - along with a copy of the BeeWhere certificate - to the LA County Department of Agricultural Commissioner / Weights & Measures, Attention Apiary Program, 12300 Lower Azusa Road, Arcadia, CA 91006-5872. The county itself charges no separate fee. The official LA County packet is at https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/acwm/1194222_AnnualApiaryRegistrationPacket_CURRENT.pdf.

    San Francisco

    Hive Limits

    Up to 2 hives per lot in residential zones.

    Setbacks

    A 6-foot barrier is required for hives within 10 feet of a property line. Hives should ideally be at least 25 feet from property lines.

    Notes

    San Francisco is generally permissive for beekeeping. In most residential zones, written consent from adjacent neighbors (owners or tenants) is recommended. Bees must not become a public nuisance. The city has a strong urban beekeeping community.

    San Diego

    Hive Limits

    1-2 hives allowed on single-family residential properties, community gardens, and retail farms without a permit.

    Setbacks

    For 1-2 hives: 15-foot setback from property lines and 25-foot setback from roads. For 3+ hives: 100-foot setback from roads and 600 feet from neighboring buildings.

    Notes

    Amended in 2012 to allow residential beekeeping. Hives must be in a secured area, re-queened every two years, not visible from public right-of-way, and surrounded by a 6-foot barrier unless elevated at least 8 feet above ground. Register hives with the County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.

    Key Laws & Statutes

    California Food and Agricultural Code, Division 13

    CA Food & Agric. Code, Div. 13, Sections 29000-29321

    Establishes the regulatory framework for apiaries in California, including registration requirements, disease and pest control, and the authority of County Agricultural Commissioners to inspect and regulate beekeeping activities.

    BeeWhere Registration Program

    3 CCR Section 2951

    Mandates all beekeepers register their hives through the BeeWhere system, a statewide platform designed to notify beekeepers of nearby pesticide applications and protect colonies from unintentional exposure.

    California Beekeeping Association

    California State Beekeepers Association

    The California State Beekeepers Association (CSBA) represents both hobby and commercial beekeepers across the state. CSBA advocates for beekeeper-friendly policies, provides educational programs, and organizes an annual convention. The organization has been instrumental in shaping California's pollinator protection policies.

    Visit California State Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    California's diverse climate zones - from coastal fog belts to inland deserts to mountain regions - mean beekeeping practices vary dramatically within the state. Coastal areas offer moderate year-round foraging but face challenges with cool, damp conditions. The Central Valley provides abundant agricultural forage during blooming season but extreme summer heat (regularly exceeding 110F). Southern California's Mediterranean climate allows near year-round beekeeping but drought is a constant concern. Fire season (typically late summer through fall) poses a real threat to apiaries, especially in foothill and wildland-urban interface areas. Monitor air quality during fire events, as smoke can disorient bees and affect colony health.

    Tips for California Beekeepers

    • California's almond bloom (February-March) drives massive pollination demand. Even hobbyists should be aware that migratory commercial operations move millions of colonies into the Central Valley each spring.
    • Register through BeeWhere - it is the statewide system. In practice, BeeWhere pesticide-application notifications work well in rural and agricultural areas but are inconsistent in urban and suburban areas like the City and County of Los Angeles, where local Vector Control software is not integrated with BeeWhere. Treat BeeWhere registration as required compliance plus a useful tool in rural areas, but don't rely on it as your only urban pesticide-warning channel.
    • Drought can severely impact nectar availability. Be prepared to feed colonies during dry periods, especially in Southern California and inland areas.
    • Varroa mite management is critical year-round due to California's mild climate, which allows mite populations to build continuously without a winter brood break.
    • Check your specific county's registration fee structure - some counties waive fees for hobbyists with fewer than 10 colonies.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Other State Regulations

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

    Estimate startup costs, ongoing expenses, and potential honey revenue for your beekeeping operation in California.

    Calculate Costs

    Do You Need a License to Keep Bees?

    Most states require hive registration, not a license. Our guide explains the difference and what California expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

    Cookie Notice

    We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies. We use Google Analytics to analyze usage of our website.Read our Privacy Policyfor more information.