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Placer County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Enforcing agency
Placer County Agricultural Commissioner
Registration
Required annually for all beekeepers
RS zone hive cap
2 colonies maximum
Commercial/pollinator setback
50 feet from property lines
Non-commercial setback
25 feet, or 0 with flyway barrier
Water requirement
1/2 mile natural or 150 feet artificial

Summary

Beekeeping is allowed in Placer County zones that permit it, but hives must meet County Code § 6.32.030's registration, water, setback, and quantity rules. All beekeepers must register annually with the county agricultural commissioner, commercial and pollinator apiaries need 50-foot property-line setbacks, and residential single-family lots are capped at two colonies.

City-specific rules exist: Roseville has its own beekeeping rules that differ from Placer County's county-level regulations. If you live in Roseville, check the city-specific page instead.

All beekeepers must register with the commissioner as required under the Apiary Protection Act. ... Commercial and Pollinator Apiary Separation. Commercial and pollinator apiaries must comply with the following setback requirements: 1. A 50 foot setback is required from all property line boundaries. ... Non-Commercial Apiary. Non-commercial apiaries must be set back 25 feet from neighboring property boundaries unless: 1. A flyway barrier is erected. ... Hive Quantity Limitations. Pursuant to Placer County Code Section 17.56.050, no more than two colonies may be kept in the Residential Single-Family RS zone district. All other zone districts (RA, RF, RES, AE, F, FOR, O, TPZ,-AG) may keep no more than five colonies per acre, not to exceed a total of 100 hives in one location.

View official code

Full Breakdown

050. 030(A); only "hobbyist beekeepers," those with nine or fewer colonies, are exempt from the registration fee. 030(B). 030(C). Setbacks differ by apiary type. 030(D). 030(E). 050, caps Residential Single-Family (RS) lots at two colonies, while other zones such as RA, RF, RES, AE, F, FOR, O, TPZ, and -AG allow up to five colonies per acre, capped at 100 hives per location, with limited exceptions for temporary consolidation, pollinator apiaries, and a wintering window from October 1 through January 31.

Violations & Fines

The Placer County Agricultural Commissioner enforces Article 6.32 and the state Apiary Protection Act. Violating the article's registration, water, setback, or hive-count rules is punishable under the county's general penalty section, § 1.24.010. Several failures, including inadequate water supply, exceeding setback or separation limits, and abandoning an apiary, are separately declared a public nuisance under § 6.32.030 and can trigger nuisance abatement proceedings under § 17.62.160.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many beehives can I keep on a residential lot in Placer County?
In the Residential Single-Family (RS) zone, § 6.32.030(F) caps hobbyist beekeeping at two colonies. Other zones such as RA, RF, and AE allow up to five colonies per acre, capped at 100 hives at one location, subject to the article's registration, water, and setback requirements.
Do I need to register my beehives with the county?
Yes. Section 6.32.030(A) requires every beekeeper to register annually with the Placer County Agricultural Commissioner under the state Apiary Protection Act. Hobbyist beekeepers, defined as those with nine or fewer colonies, still must register but are exempt from paying the registration fee that commercial operators owe.
How far must my hives be from my neighbor's property line?
Non-commercial, hobbyist apiaries need a 25-foot setback from neighboring property lines under § 6.32.030(E), unless you erect a six-foot flyway barrier extending six feet past the hives on each side, or place the hives at least 12 feet above ground. Commercial and pollinator apiaries need a larger 50-foot setback.
What if I don't provide enough water for my bees?
Section 6.32.030(C) requires a natural water source within a half-mile of the apiary, or an artificial supply such as a trough or sprinkler within 150 feet. Failing to provide adequate water is expressly declared a public nuisance under the same subsection, exposing the beekeeper to nuisance abatement action.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Placer County

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All Placer County rules

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Beekeeping in Cities Across Placer County

Roseville, CA