Fremont, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

140(a) confirms no city permit or registration is needed to install or maintain an apiary, but every apiary must still register with Alameda County under Food and Agriculture Code Section 29040 et seq. Subsection (b) requires an adequate, mosquito-safe water source on the property year-round. Subsection (c) requires at least one bee-dispersal strategy: siting hives so bees clear 8 feet of altitude before leaving the property, placing hive boxes at least 5 feet from property lines, or placing hives behind a barrier at least 6 feet high, and the animal services manager can require additional measures.

Subsection (d) sets a hard rule for single-family lots: beehives cannot sit within 5 feet of any property line. Subsection (e) adds a notice regime for multi-family lots: the beekeeper needs written consent from the property owner or HOA, plus written notice to every resident and owner within a 150-foot radius at least 10 days before requesting that consent, and must stencil their name and phone number on the hive itself. Subsection (f) bars hives within 5 feet of any private balcony, private yard, or common open space in townhouse-style developments unless that space belongs exclusively to the beekeeper.