Alameda County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential max
- 2 hives small lot
- Side/rear setback
- 5 feet
- Flyway barrier
- 6 ft if within 25 ft
- Registration
- Ag Commissioner required
- Water source
- On-site required
Summary
Beekeeping is permitted in most Alameda County zones with setback and hive-count limits. Keepers must register with the County Agricultural Commissioner under CA Food and Agricultural Code 29040.
Every person that is the owner, broker, or is in possession of an apiary that is located within the state, on the first day of January of each year, shall register the number of colonies in each apiary that is owned or possessed by the person and the location of each apiary. Every person required to register under this article, shall do so on the first day of January of each year in which they maintain, possess, or are in possession of an apiary, or within 30 days thereafter, as prescribed in this article.
Full Breakdown
Alameda County allows beekeeping on residential and agricultural parcels subject to county zoning and state registration. Typical residential rules permit up to 2 hives on lots under 10,000 square feet and additional hives on larger parcels, with hives set back at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines and at least 10 feet from front property lines or public rights-of-way. Flyway barriers (6-foot fences or vegetation) are required when hives are within 25 feet of property lines to force bees upward. California F&A Code 29040 requires all apiaries to be registered annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner. Water sources must be provided on the beekeeper property to reduce neighbor nuisance. Africanized bee protocols apply if aggressive colonies are identified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep bees?
Can neighbors object to my hives?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alameda County
California rules heatmap·Compare Alameda County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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