Corona, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- State Apiary Registration
- State apiary registration required (Food & Ag Code §29040)
- Register Annually With
- Register annually with Riverside County Ag Commissioner
- Hives Generally Restricted
- Hives generally restricted to A and E zones
- Setbacks From Property
- Setbacks from property lines and dwellings required
- Residential Beekeeping Often
- Residential beekeeping often restricted or prohibited
Summary
Beekeeping in Corona is regulated under California Food and Agricultural Code §29001 et seq. (apiary registration with the County Agricultural Commissioner) plus local zoning. Hives are typically restricted to agricultural and equestrian zones, with setback and number limitations. Residential beekeeping requires verification of current zoning rules and may be restricted.
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
California requires all beekeepers, including hobbyists, to register their apiaries annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner under Food and Agricultural Code §29040. In Riverside County, registration is handled through the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner's office. Beyond state registration, Corona's zoning code regulates where hives can be kept. Beekeeping is generally permitted in agricultural (A) and equestrian (E) zones with setback requirements from property lines and dwellings on adjacent properties (commonly 25 feet or more), water source on-site, and limits on the number of hives per acre. Residential zone beekeeping is more restricted, many standard single-family zones do not permit hives without special review or do not permit them at all. Hives must not create a nuisance through swarming, aggressive behavior, or excessive bee traffic over neighboring property. Africanized Honey Bees (AHB) have established populations in Riverside County, and beekeepers should follow integrated pest management practices. Always verify current Corona zoning rules and obtain state apiary registration before establishing hives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my beehives in Corona?
Can I keep bees in my backyard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Corona
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle beekeeping.