Concord, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration
- CA Food & Ag Code §29040 (County Ag Commissioner)
- Typical Hive Limit
- 2 hives on lots under 10,000 sq ft
- Setback
- ~5 ft property line, flyway barrier if <25 ft
- Water Source
- Required on-site
- County Authority
- Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture
Summary
Beekeeping is allowed in Concord on residential lots subject to setback and hive count limits. Hives must be registered with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Agricultural Code §29040. Typical rules require hives set back from property lines and a water source on-site to keep bees from neighboring yards.
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
Concord permits backyard beekeeping under its Municipal Code and zoning regulations, consistent with state beekeeping law. California Food & Agricultural Code §29040 requires all apiary owners to register annually with the county agricultural commissioner where hives are located; in Concord, this is the Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture. Local standards typically limit residential lots to a small number of hives (often 2 on lots under 10,000 sq ft, more on larger parcels), require hives to be set back at least 5 feet from property lines and oriented away from neighbors, and require a flyway barrier (fence or hedge 6 feet tall) if hives are within 25 feet of a property line. A continuous water source on the hive property is required to prevent bees from congregating at neighbors' pools and hose bibs. Africanized honeybees and excessively aggressive colonies may be abated as a nuisance. Hobbyist beekeepers should also follow best-practice guidance from UC Cooperative Extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my hives?
How far from the fence do hives need to be?
What if my neighbor's bees swarm my yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Concord
California rules heatmap·Compare Concord to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle beekeeping.