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.
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.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Concord, CA
Concord enforces the California Vehicle Code 72-hour rule (CVC 22651(k)) citywide, prohibits parking on unpaved surfaces in front yards, and operates permit ...
Concord, CA
Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR are prohibited from overnight parking on residential streets in Concord and cannot be stored on residentially zoned ...
Concord, CA
California Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severi...
Concord, CA
All fireworks, including "safe and sane" fireworks, are completely banned in Concord. Possession, sale, or use of any consumer fireworks is a misdemeanor pun...
Concord, CA
Concord regulates removal of protected trees under Concord Municipal Code chapter 8.50 (Tree Preservation). Protected trees over 10 inches DBH require a perm...
Concord, CA
Concord water customers served by Contra Costa Water District must follow permanent statewide conservation rules: no runoff, no watering during or 48 hours a...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle beekeeping.
See how Concord's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.