Apple Valley, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

The Town of Apple Valley's animal keeping framework in Title 15 lists bee hives among the forms of animal keeping subject to density limits, and all animal keeping and density is governed by Table 15.01.125A based on zoning district and parcel size. The High Desert town's rural and residential-agricultural zones are more accommodating to hives than dense or multi-family districts, but keepers should verify the allowable number for their specific zoning and lot before placing hives, and confirm any setback or nuisance conditions in the Town Code and Development Code. Independent of any local rule, California state law governs every apiary. The California Apiary Protection Act (Food and Agricultural Code Division 13) requires every person who owns or possesses bees in California to register their apiary annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner by January 1 under Section 29040; for Apple Valley that is the San Bernardino County Agricultural Commissioner, with registration handled through the statewide BeeWhere program. This requirement applies to all beekeepers, including a single backyard hive. Keepers should also avoid creating a public nuisance, since any violation of Apple Valley's animal chapters is declared a public nuisance subject to abatement. Note: confirm the exact hive allowance for your parcel in Table 15.01.125A and any related Development Code provision before keeping bees.