San Bernardino County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Beekeeping in unincorporated San Bernardino County is allowed as a matter of right in Agricultural (AG) and Rural Living (RL) zones, subject to setback rules and state registration. California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 29040-29061 require all beekeepers to register their apiaries annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner (San Bernardino County at 777 E. Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino). Registration is free to low-cost and helps track hive locations for pesticide notification and Africanized honey bee (AHB) control. The San Bernardino County Agricultural Commissioner enforces apiary laws. Typical setback requirements are: 100-300 feet from public roads, occupied dwellings on adjacent parcels, schools, and parks unless adequate flyway barriers (6-foot solid fence or dense hedge) force bees upward. Water should be provided on-site to prevent foraging at neighbor pools. All San Bernardino County honey bees are considered Africanized (AHB) under state advisories, so best practices include requeening aggressive hives, maintaining manageable colony size, and quick swarm response. Residential Single-Family zones may permit 1-2 hives with stricter setbacks or prohibit beekeeping; check parcel zoning before establishing hives. Urban beekeeping in incorporated cities (Rancho Cucamonga, Chino Hills, Redlands) follows separate city rules.