Solano County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

There is no beekeeping-specific ordinance in Solano County Code Chapter 4 (Animals and Fowl). The only reference to bees in the chapter is in the definition of 'wild animal' (section 4-11), which classifies any species venomous to humans as a wild animal 'except honey-producing bees' - meaning honeybees are expressly excluded from the wild-animal permitting rules that apply to dangerous or exotic species. Chapter 4 therefore does not set hive counts, setbacks, or permits for honeybees. Whether and where beekeeping is allowed in the unincorporated county is determined by the County zoning ordinance (Chapter 28) based on the parcel's zoning district and the agricultural-use standards, so owners should confirm with Solano County Planning Services for their specific property. Separately, California state law - the Food and Agricultural Code's apiary provisions - requires anyone who owns or possesses bees (apiaries) to register annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner where the bees are located, and the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner administers that registration. Beekeepers should consult the Agricultural Commissioner's office for current apiary registration requirements and any local hive-placement standards in the zoning code.